One-shot vaccine use halted in Wyoming

For the time being, anyone seeking a COVID-19 vaccine have either the Moderna or Pfizer offerings to choose from as the Johnson and Johnson will be withheld after blood clotting was reported as a potential side effect.

According to the CDC, the organization and the FDA are reviewing six cases of what is described as a “rare and severe type of blood clot” occurring in people who received the vaccine. The blood clots occurred in women aged 18-49 and occurred between six and 13 days after vaccination.

“Treatment of this specific type of blood clot is different from the treatment that might typically be administered,” a release from the CDC states. “Usually, an anticoagulant drug called heparin is used to treat blood clots. In this setting, administration of heparin may be dangerous, and alternative treatments need to be given.”

The vaccine from Johnson and Johnson differs from the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines as it is the only single-shot vaccine available. The other two require a second booster injection weeks after the initial vaccine shot.

“Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare,” the release states. “COVID-19 vaccine safety is a top priority for the federal government, and we take all reports of health problems following COVID-19 vaccination very seriously.”

The Wyoming Department of Health issued a notice Tuesday asking medical providers in the state to cease administering the vaccine until further information from the FDA, CDC and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is available. Those who received the vaccine are urged to contact their medical provider if they begin to feel a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks of receiving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

In Sweetwater County, 540 Johnson and Johnson vaccines were distributed while a total of 9,513 doses of the vaccine distributed statewide according to data from the WDH.

Kim Lionberger, director of the Sweetwater County District Board of Health, said her office hasn’t had any reports of severe reactions to any of the vaccines. She said some residents have complained of feeling ill after receiving a dose, but nothing serious.

Vaccination clinics scheduled this week and hosted by the board of health have replaced the intended Johnson and Johnson vaccine with the Pfizer vaccine.

 

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