Key TakeawaysThe FDA now recommends Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines over the Johnson & Johnson shot, following concerns about blood clots.The J&J vaccine is linked to a rare but serious blood clotting problem called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).Protection from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is still better than not getting a vaccine at all.

Key Takeaways

The FDA now recommends Pfizer and Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines over the Johnson & Johnson shot, following concerns about blood clots.The J&J vaccine is linked to a rare but serious blood clotting problem called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).Protection from the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is still better than not getting a vaccine at all.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday scaled back the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, citing concerns about the risk of rare but life-threatening blood clots.

Now, the vaccine is only authorized for two groups of people:

The decision comes after an an FDA investigation of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), a blood clotting condition. TTS is treatable, but complications can include heart attack and stroke. At least 60 J&J vaccine recipients have experienced TTS. Nine have died.

Around 18.7 million Americans have received the J&J vaccine.

What Is Thrombosis With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS)?TTS is a combination of thrombosis (when blood clots block blood vessels) and thrombocytopenia syndrome (a low number of platelets in the blood). This is a new syndrome, only identified after the introduction of adenovirus vector COVID-19 vaccines like J&J. It’s also referred to as vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).

What Is Thrombosis With Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS)?

TTS is a combination of thrombosis (when blood clots block blood vessels) and thrombocytopenia syndrome (a low number of platelets in the blood). This is a new syndrome, only identified after the introduction of adenovirus vector COVID-19 vaccines like J&J. It’s also referred to as vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT).

“We recognize that the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine still has a role in the current pandemic response in the United States and across the global community,” Peter Marks, MD, PhD, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement, a nod to the fact that J&J’s vaccine is simpler to store and transport than mRNA vaccines. “Today’s action demonstrates the robustness of our safety surveillance systems and our commitment to ensuring that science and data guide our decisions.”

The FDA officially revised the J&J vaccinefact sheet, indicating that anyone with a history of TTS following COVID vaccination should not receive this vaccine as a booster.

Not the First Setback for J&J

The new authorization echoes earlier guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who officially recommended thePfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines over the J&J shot in December 2021. At the time, CDC advisers cited54 documented casesof TTS linked to the J&J vaccine.

In April of 2021, federal regulators temporarily paused the use of the J&J vaccine followingsix cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), a type of blood clot in the brain.

Thepause was liftedand a warning label was added to the vaccine.

In July of 2021, the FDA added another warning label to the J&J vaccine for its potential to trigger an autoimmune disorder calledGuillain-Barré Syndrome(GBS).At the time, about 100 cases had been reported. GBS can lead to full body-paralysis, though most people make a full recovery.

Johnson & Johnson Around the WorldSome other countries have adopted similar recommendations for adenovirus vector vaccines like J&J andAstraZeneca. In Canada, an mRNA vaccine should be offered first. Denmark took things one step further, completely halting the use of J&J shots because of blood clot risk.Adenovirus vector vaccines use a modified adenovirus—a virus that causes the common cold—as a vessel to deliver genetic material from the COVID-19 virus into the body.

Johnson & Johnson Around the World

Some other countries have adopted similar recommendations for adenovirus vector vaccines like J&J andAstraZeneca. In Canada, an mRNA vaccine should be offered first. Denmark took things one step further, completely halting the use of J&J shots because of blood clot risk.Adenovirus vector vaccines use a modified adenovirus—a virus that causes the common cold—as a vessel to deliver genetic material from the COVID-19 virus into the body.

Some other countries have adopted similar recommendations for adenovirus vector vaccines like J&J andAstraZeneca. In Canada, an mRNA vaccine should be offered first. Denmark took things one step further, completely halting the use of J&J shots because of blood clot risk.

Adenovirus vector vaccines use a modified adenovirus—a virus that causes the common cold—as a vessel to deliver genetic material from the COVID-19 virus into the body.

Johnson & Johnson Vaccine to Include Warning About Guillain-Barré Syndrome

What If You Received a J&J Vaccine?

If you received a J&J shot, you shouldn’t panic. Remember: The risk of experiencing this side effect is very low. According toCDC data, only 3.83 TTS cases were reported for every million doses of the J&J vaccine administered.

CDC 2021 data shows the following statistics on the identified TTS cases after J&J vaccination:Age range: 18-70 years old (median age is 44.5)Among the 54 cases, 27 were women and 17 were men.83% of cases are in White people.54% of the TTS cases feature a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST).

CDC 2021 data shows the following statistics on the identified TTS cases after J&J vaccination:

The CDC advisory panelalso reportedthat the median time from vaccination to symptom onset was nine days,with the longest record being18 days after vaccination. If you’re two or three weeks past the date of your vaccination, you’re likely in the clear.

What Symptoms Should You Look For?

According to the CDC, symptoms of TTS can manifest itself in several ways:

If you experience any of the above symptoms within three weeks of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, contact a healthcare provider.

How Is TTS Treated?

TTS treatment is different from that of standard blood clot. The low levels of blood platelets associated with this condition mean that anticoagulation medication likeHeparincould worsen the condition.

Other blood thinners, like bivalirudin or argatroban, can be used instead. Bivalirudin was used to successfully treat a Colorado woman experiencing TTS in April of last year.

How Doctors Successfully Treated a Johnson & Johnson Vaccine-Related Blood Clot

What This Means For You

The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States.HealthDirect.Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).U.S. Federal Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: July 13, 2021.Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).Updates on Thrombosis withThrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).Centers for Disease Contorl and Prevention.Updates on Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States.HealthDirect.Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).U.S. Federal Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: July 13, 2021.Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).Updates on Thrombosis withThrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).Centers for Disease Contorl and Prevention.Updates on Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States.HealthDirect.Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).U.S. Federal Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: July 13, 2021.Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).Updates on Thrombosis withThrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).Centers for Disease Contorl and Prevention.Updates on Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States.

HealthDirect.Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).

U.S. Federal Drug Administration.Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: July 13, 2021.

Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).Updates on Thrombosis with

Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).

Centers for Disease Contorl and Prevention.Updates on Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS).

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