RI to resume use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week

“We will continue to monitor both the safety and the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine."

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- The Rhode Island Department of Health will resume the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week, the department announced Monday.

The decision was made following the CDC’s recommendation last week that the temporary pause on the vaccine should be lifted.

“This pause in the administration of Johnson & Johnson vaccine demonstrates that we have rigorous safety systems in place, and those systems work,” said Director of Health Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH.

“We will continue to monitor both the safety and the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine. We continue to see that COVID-19 vaccine is preventing cases, hospitalizations, and fatalities in Rhode Island. Everyone older than 16 years of age is now eligible to get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep yourself and your loved ones safe when it comes to COVID-19.”

The pause was announced mid-April after reports of six people experiencing reactions and blood clots two weeks after receiving their J&J dose.

“Roughly 7 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in the U.S. More than 31,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in Rhode Island. There have been no reported cases of CVST among people vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson vaccine in Rhode Island,” RIDOH spokesperson Joseph Wendelken said in a release.

Appointments for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available www.vaccinateri.org this week. Appointments can also be made by calling 211.