Idaho's Department of Health and Welfare suggests that folks who provide vaccines in the Gem State do not use the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine, following the same recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control.

Health and Welfare received the information from the Food and Drug Administration and the CDC that six cases of blood clots after the vaccine was administered. Health and Welfare issued the following statement in a press release:
Vaccine safety is the nation's and Idaho's No. 1 priority. The CDC and FDA have recommended a pause in administering the vaccine until information can be updated and given to healthcare providers about how to evaluate people who have been vaccinated for this possible rare adverse event, as well as how to treat it.

How many Idahoans have taken the shot?

The Idaho Immunization Program notified Idaho providers this morning.
Almost 7 million (6,820,188) doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been administered in the U.S. In Idaho, a total of 82,500 doses have been distributed, and as of 9:30 a.m. today, 30,673 doses had been issued.

What is the state's next move?

"We are monitoring it very closely until we learn more," said Dr. Christine Hahn, an infectious disease physician and Idaho's lead epidemiologist. "If you have a scheduled appointment to get the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, please work with your vaccine provider to postpone your appointment until we learn more or consider getting a different vaccine. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have not had this issue reported, and we recommend that Idahoans continue with their appointments to receive these critical vaccines."

What symptoms should you look for?

Some flu-like symptoms immediately after getting a vaccine are normal. But people who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develop a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their doctor immediately.

Of the six reports in the United States, one person has died, and another is hospitalized in critical condition. All of the patients were women between 18 and 48 years of age. Symptoms occurred 6-13 days after vaccination. None have been reported in Idaho.

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