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Several vaccination sites across the United States have suspended administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this week after adverse reactions were reported, according to the Associated Press.
Three vaccination sites in North Carolina temporarily closed on Thursday after several people had immediate reactions. The Colorado, Georgia and Iowa sites also took a hiatus after several people reported side effects.
"There is no reason to believe that the vaccine itself is faulty, and other people who have received the J&J vaccine should not be concerned," said Kathleen Toomey, MD, commissioner of the Department of Health. State of Georgia, in a statement Friday.
Health officials in Georgia have suspended the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after eight people had reactions at the Cumming Fairgrounds, located about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta. One person was assessed in a hospital and released, and the others were followed up and sent home.
"We are looking at what happened and what may have caused the reactions, including conditions at the fairground such as the heat and the ability to keep the site cool," Toomey said.
Some of the reactions, such as nausea and dizziness, were consistent with common reactions associated with any vaccine, the Georgia Department of Public Health said in the press release. However, due to the number of people affected, the Johnson & Johnson shooting has been put on hold for evaluation.
In North Carolina, several people have passed out after receiving a Johnson & Johnson vaccine at sites near Raleigh and Chapel Hill, the AP reported. At least 26 people had side effects and four were taken to hospital for further examination.
In Colorado on Wednesday, 11 people reported side effects after injecting Johnson & Johnson, the AP reported. Two people were taken to hospital.
The CDC evaluated the incidents in Colorado, Georgia, Iowa and North Carolina, and found reports of dizziness, lightheadedness and rapid breathing, said Kristen Nordlund, a spokesperson for the CDC, to the P.
The CDC investigated the vaccine batches and found no cause for concern. Federal health officials have said it is safe to resume administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the AP reported in another article on Friday.
In North Carolina, public health officials said they would administer Pfizer's shot at PNC Arena in Raleigh on Friday, the AP reported. At Chapel Hill clinics, officials plan to resume appointments for the Johnson & Johnson shooting on Saturday. In nearby Hillsborough, officials said they would offer the Moderna vaccine on Friday and look for ways to better identify people with a history of fainting around needles. They also plan to provide additional support by offering drinks and snacks, and not moving patients to a separate viewing area.
"We believe the J&J vaccine is safe," Alan Wolf, a spokesperson for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told the AP.
"Very few people (less than 1%) who received this vaccine in our clinics reported dizziness or fainting," he said.
Sources:
Associated Press, "North Carolina Sites Stop J&J Firing After Adverse Reactions." "North Carolina sites to resume J&J vaccines after CDC review."
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