Ohio Pauses Use Of Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio leaders issued a "pause" on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine distribution on Tuesday.

All Ohio vaccine providers have been advised to temporarily stop administering the vaccine, Gov. Mike DeWine's office said. The decision was made after the CDC and FDA announced they were investigating extremely rare blood-clotting events of six people in the U.S. after receiving the vaccine. At least 6.8 million doses of the vaccine have already been administered in the U.S., the FDA said.

"Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare," the FDA said. "Treatment of this specific type of blood clot is different from the treatment that might typically be administered."

Ohio was scheduled to receive 20,300 doses of the vaccine this week, according to the CDC.

Read more: Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Pause: 6 Things To Know

"Officials with the Ohio Department of Health are following this situation closely," DeWine's office said.

At least two pharmacies announced that they will pause the distribution of the vaccine. Wegmans issued a statement saying: "Following the recommendations of the CDC & FDA, Wegmans has canceled all Johnson & Johnson vaccine appointments. We will pause use of the J&J vaccine while the CDC & FDA further investigate the issue."

CVS said it is "immediately implementing a pause in the use of the Johnson and Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine per the recommendation from federal health agencies."

A White House spokesperson said pausing administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will not "significantly impact" the national vaccination strategy. The White House said 28 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be available this week.