State calls for temporary pause of J&J vaccine

State officials today called for the temporary pause of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine against COVID-19.

The announcement from Gov. Mike DeWine’s office came in response after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended a pause in using the vaccine following extremely rare blood-clotting of six women nationally receiving the vaccine. At least 6.8 million people have received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine in the United States.

The vaccine pause will likely result in a shortage of vaccines nationally.

It’s also forced the Youngstown City Health District to cancel vaccination clinics at Youngstown State University today and at the Covelli Centre Wednesday and April 22, said Erin Bishop, health commissioner.

The city district has a Moderna clinic Thursday that is full, but has opening next Tuesday and April 21 at Congregation Rodef Shalom, 1119 Elm St.

Go to covid19.youngstownohio.gov to schedule an appointment.

The Mahoning Valley’s mass vaccination clinic at the former Dillard’s department store at the Southern Park Mall uses Johnson and Johnson vaccines. Appointments for Friday and Saturday have been cancelled.

Officials with Mahoning County Public Health, which oversee those clinics, are trying to get the Moderna of Pfizer vaccines from the state to continue vaccinations next week.

Trumbull County Combined Health District is still holding an open Moderna vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Trumbull County Fairgrounds.