The Westchester County Department of Health suspended the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine pending further safety information after the CDC and FDA recommended a halt in the use out of an abundance of caution.

All appointments for the Johnson & Johnson vaccines at mass vaccination sites were honored the with the Pfizer vaccine.  The county vaccination locations and field vaccinators will be utilizing the Moderna vaccine until further notice.

“While the CDC and the FDA have reported that six people who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine developed a rare blood clotting disorder within about three weeks of vaccination, it is important to remember that any adverse events related to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine 'appear to be extremely rare.'  It is not known if the blood clotting disorder was caused by the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or other factors. An estimated 6.8 million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered so far, suggesting the disorder is extremely rare, affecting fewer than one in a million recipients. 

“However, the CDC and the FDA have stated that people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, “who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.'”

WHAT IF I ALREADY RECEIVED THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE- There is no cause for alarm. This is a safety measure out of an abundance of caution. Be aware of any unusual symptoms, just as you should after any vaccine or new medication. 

 WHAT IF I ALREADY HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE- There is no cause for alarm. Keep your appointment unless you are contacted to reschedule. The other two Covid-19 vaccines are still approved. When possible the vaccine provider will substitute with them or reschedule your appointment. 

WHAT IF I RECEIVED OR HAVE AN APPOINTMENT FOR ONE OF THE OTHER VACCINES- There is no cause for alarm. Keep your appointment unless you are contacted to reschedule. The other two Covid-19 vaccines are still approved.

WHAT IF I THINK I HAVE A REACTION TO A COVID-19 VACCINE – JOHNSON & JOHNSON OR OTHER- For non-critical illness or discomfort, discuss your symptoms with your health care provider. Mention the date you were vaccinated and the brand if you know it. Be sure to list all symptoms you have having. If you believe you are having serious symptoms, seek immediate medical care, whether or not you think they might be related to the vaccine.

Federal health authorities monitor reports of all symptoms and illnesses that occur after vaccination whether caused by the vaccine or not, or if the cause is uncertain. You or your provider can report the event online at https://vaers.hhs.gov/esub/index.jsp If you need further assistance, please email info@VAERS.org or call 1-800-822-7967.

 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT- We will suspend any use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until federal authorities announce its use can resume. We are closely monitoring new information as it becomes available. The CDC has scheduled a meeting of its expert advisory committee Wednesday, April 14. 

The Rockland County Department of Health has not received the J&J vaccine since Week 14, which was 3/15-3/21, so there are not any J&J vaccination appointments currently scheduled at our Pomona clinic. However, a number of local providers did receive J&J last week (see chart below)

Anyone who was scheduled to receive the J&J vaccine can instead register to receive the Moderna vaccine on Wednesday 4/14 and Thursday, 4/15 at the Rockland County Department of Health in Pomona by visiting: http://ow.ly/XHLO30rEg7S

Anyone in need of additional assistance can contact the Rockland County Department of Health COVID-19 Call Center at 845-238-1956.

Orange County residents with vaccine (according to NYS vaccine tracker) 120,255 first doses ---  72,669 both 

Total received by the Orange County Department of Health (administered by Orange County + re-allocated to medical providers)

Pfizer total received by OCDOH: 11,700 total doses first and second combined 

Moderna total doses received by the Orange County Department of Health: 43,600 total doses first and second combined (Including 4,000 doses just received today)

J&J total doses received by the Orange County Department of Health: 6,900 (of these, 45 doses of J&J held and not yet administered in nursing homes) Estimate of doses administered only at our OCDOH run PODs. 

As of April 9: 

Pfizer: 9,061 (1st & 2nd doses total)

Moderna: 35,353 (1st & 2nd doses total)

J&J: 6,826 (homebound and PODs)

-All appointments for Johnson & Johnson vaccines at the PCDOH site have been canceled, and all individuals will be offered the Moderna vaccine. Individuals who were registered for a Johnson & Johnson vaccine today in Garrison can register on-site for the Moderna vaccine or schedule their Moderna appointment online at: https://apps2.health.ny.gov/doh2/applinks/cdmspr/2/counties?DateID=BF80C4B4B21A068CE0530A6C7C16E0F8

Due to reports of an extremely rare adverse event after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, New York State will follow the CDC and FDA recommendation and pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine statewide, effective immediately while the Federal vaccine planning panel reviews safety concerns.The CDC and FDA will review data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J vaccine. With nearly 7 million doses of this vaccine administered, there have been just six reported cases of this event—all among women ages 18-48 and occurring 6-13 days after vaccination.  

The PCDOH has run over 30 PODs and has administered over 13,400 COVID-19 doses. The health department plans to continue to run Moderna clinics for individuals age 18+ who live, work, or attend school in New York. For more information visit: http://www.putnamcountyny.com/covid-19-vaccine-information/

Per Putnam County health dept. PIO & Nurse Shanna Siegel: The county is awaiting instructions from state & fed on what to do with left over supply of J&J vaccines… current clinics are distributing Moderna and have been vaccinating people with Moderna vaccines since January.

This is only their second delivery received of J&J.  They have only distributed J&J one other time through a Health Department-run clinic & have vaccinated some homebound residents per NYS Health Department directed (all prior to this announcement)