No cases of the rare blood clot associated with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine have been identified in Mississippi. But health officials in the state say they are erring on the side of caution until the CDC has finished its investigation. State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs says he is hopeful that Mississippians don't let this become a reason not to get a coronavirus vaccination. He says the risk of someone getting this type of blood clot from the JnJ vaccine is extremely rare, while death from the coronavirus is proven to be common.
"The relative risk of the vaccine even with this horrible complication is so much less common than death with COVID. Does this seem to be associated with the Johnson and Johnson vaccine? Yes. We're waiting for additional information. But we also want to make sure that if we do have any of these that our physicians and our clinics and hospitals are ready to deal with it because there are treatments if they do have this very rare syndrome."
The CDC's investigation could last several days, and health officials say the state will not resume Johnson and Johnson vaccinations until the results are provided..
Around 53,000 doses of the Johnson and Johnson coronavirus vaccine are at clinics, pharmacies and hospitals across Mississippi. State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers says those doses will likely not go to waste in that time.
"We will make sure that those providers that have received the Johnson and Johnson that haven't administered yet are maintaining it in the appropriate conditions for it to remain viable. And when the time comes, if we need to replace those with different doses, with Pfizer or Moderna, we will certainly work with providers to make sure that that happens."
Health officials say residents who have received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine within the last three weeks should consult a doctor if they experience severe headaches, abdominal pains, leg pain or severe shortness of breath.
