State pauses Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine distribution

The New Mexico Department of Health on Tuesday announced that Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine distribution will be paused following federal Center for Disease Control and Food and Drug Administration recommendations.

These announcements follow reports of six “rare and severe” blood clots — out of 6.8 million doses given — among women between the ages of 18 and 48 in the United States. Symptoms occurred six to 13 days after vaccination.

“New Mexico — like the federal government — is acting out of an abundance of caution,” said DOH Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins. “As we learn more, we will share that information.”

Scheduled J&J events and vaccinations will be paused or shifted to Pfizer and Moderna.

People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, blurred vision, seizure, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.

Health care providers should report adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System at vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html. Please note: these adverse events are extremely rare — less than one per million.