US health authorities have recommended a pause in the use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine due to blood clot concerns, according to the Wall Street Journal. The authorities found that six women between the ages of 18 and 48 years who received the vaccine had developed blood clots.
A panel of outside experts will meet Wednesday to review the matter for the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The US Food and Drug Administration said it is recommending a pause to the J&J vaccine “out of an abundance of caution” and will conduct an investigation.
The halt is a blow to the vaccination efforts as many people may opt to evade the shots.
The pause of J&J’s vaccine could also hurt vaccinations in the U.S in the areas that lack facilities to store the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots.
Australian health authorities also decided against using J&J shots on Tuesday.
Johnson & Johnson stock is currently declining. JNJ: NYSE is down 2.66% on premarket.
