FDA recommends pause in the use of J&J vaccine after reported blood clots

The United States will reportedly pause the use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine “out of an abundance of caution.”

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tweeted the news early Tuesday morning. They said that they, in conjunction with the CDC, are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases where a “rare and severe” type of blood clot formed after receiving the vaccine. The FDA added that this seems to be very rare.

Today FDA and @CDCgov issued a statement regarding the Johnson & Johnson #COVID19 vaccine. We are recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution.

— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) April 13, 2021

To date, more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine have been adminstred throughout the country.

The CDC will meet to review the cases and the FDA will review their analysis as part of the investigation.

The FDA said the pause is vital to keep Americans healthy.

“This is important to ensure that the health care provider community is aware of the potential for these adverse events and can plan due to the unique treatment required with this type of blood clot,” the FDA said in a statement.

The FDA will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. to discuss the pausing of the vaccine here. You can listen to the press conference here.