The United States and South Africa have temporarily suspended the use of Johnson & Johnson vaccines to prevent coronavirus. The European Union (EU) has also suspended the supply of vaccines.
The decision was made considering the risk of blood clots as a result of the application of this vaccine. Although blood clots formed after receiving the vaccine in the United States, it has not yet occurred in the EU and South Africa. They are heeding the warnings of the US health authorities. The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring the whole situation. The British media reported on the BBC.
As a precautionary measure, Johnson & Johnson’s vaccination will be discontinued, but it has been reported that most people in the United States will be able to be vaccinated on time. The Federal Department of Health says the vaccination program will not be disrupted as a result. A statement from the White House said, “There is an adequate supply of Pfizer and modern vaccines and the target of 3 million vaccines per day will remain unchanged.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 6 million people in the United States have been vaccinated against Johnson & Johnson so far, and another 9 million doses have been sent to various states in the country.
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has also been suspended in the EU. The U.S. agency began vaccinating countries in the EU this week.
Just 24 hours before the vaccines were sent to EU countries, Johnson & Johnson said they had suspended European vaccinations. However, the EU has not yet made a decision. Their experts are looking to the next step in the United States.
Johnson & Johnson provided the first vaccine in South Africa. No blood clots have been reported in the country since the vaccine was administered. About 300,000 health workers in the country have been vaccinated against Johnson & Johnson since mid-February.
