Pending CDC Acceptance of ACIP Recommendation
Atlanta – The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) today recommended that
the United States should resume Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccinations. Pending the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) formal acceptance of the decision, the Georgia
Department of Public Health (DPH) will again offer J&J vaccine to Georgians aged 18 and older.
However, there is no timeline yet for when the administration will begin again.
ACIP advised that a warning should be added to the vaccine about the potential for very rare,
but severe blood clots associated with the J&J vaccine. In particular, women under the age of
50 should be made of aware of the increased risk of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia
syndrome and may choose to receive another vaccine.
The FDA and CDC previously recommended pausing J&J (Janssen) vaccinations pending a
review of data involving six reported cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot occurring in
women aged 18-48 about a week after vaccination. Since then, nine additional confirmed cases
of these rare blood clots were reported, and other potential cases are still under review.
At the time J&J vaccine administration was paused, more than 124,000 doses of J&J vaccine
had been safely administered in Georgia. Approximately 213,000 doses are currently in
inventory statewide.
Vaccination remains one of our best tools for stopping the spread of COVID-19, along with basic
prevention measures – wearing a mask, distancing from others, avoiding large gatherings, and
washing your hands frequently.
For information about COVID vaccines or to schedule a vaccination appointment visit
dph.ga.gov/covid-vaccine.