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ISDH pauses usage of Johnson & Johnson vaccine; Moderna vaccine sent to IMS

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana State Department of Health is pausing distribution of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration recommended a pause.

ISDH said it is notifying all vaccination clinics using the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to pause its use .

The Johnson & Johnson vaccine was planned to be used at a mass vaccination clinic at Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tuesday. ISDH says the Moderna vaccine is being sent to IMS and everyone with appointments at IMS will receive the Moderna vaccine instead until further notice.

Matt Ferguson and his wife both came to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Tuesday’s mass vaccination event.

“I wondered if they were still going to have it here because we booked it a little while out. So, we’re pretty hopeful that we’d still get to come here and get something.” Matt Ferguson, who received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday, said.

The Ferguson’s were originally scheduled for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, but were given the Moderna one instead.

“A little bummed that we didn’t get to do it in one shot, but I think my wife and I are just both glad that we get to get the process started at least today.” Matt Ferguson explained.

IMS says they have had no issues vaccinating people Tuesday despite the change in vaccine.

A joint statement by the FDA and CDC said six women have experienced a specific type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

“I’m glad that they were cautious, and decided to pause,” Tara Jones who received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Tuesday, instead of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine she signed up for. “That could’ve been me.”

The length of the pause is unknown and the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet Wednesday to provide a recommendation.

According to the CDC, 6.8 million Americans have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Tara Jones was one of many who received the Moderna shot, instead of the J&J jab she signed up for.
Now, she has to plan for the second dose.

“That is probably the one bummer. Obviously, that’s one of the reasons why I made the appointment for the Johnson & Johnson was for the one time, I will!.” Tara Jones explained.

ISDH says more than 125,000 Hoosiers have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Dr. Lindsay Weaver, Chief Medical Officer the Indiana Department of Health explained Tuesday “Everyone who is getting the Moderna vaccine will have to get scheduled to get a second dose. We’re still figuring out the details of exactly where that will be. But we’ll be offering the second dose which is 28 days from now somewhere here in Indianapolis and we are notifying everybody that’s coming through to be on the lookout for further information for that,”

Dr. Weaver encouraged Hoosiers to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

“Please go ahead and get vaccinated. Like I said, just a pause in the vaccine with the Johnson and Johnson right now. Awaiting further notice and that these were just 6 cases out of the 6.8 Million Johnson & Johnson that have been given across the United States.” Dr. Lindsay Weaver, Chief Medical Officer the Indiana Department of Health explained Tuesday.

Indiana’s Department of Health said it is working to minimize appointment disruptions.

If you’d like to reschedule an appointment, ISDH has provided information here.