TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas health officials said Monday the state will resume using the Johnson & Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccine after federal agencies determined its benefits outweigh a rare risk of blood clots.
Administration of the J&J shot was paused on April 13 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration following reports that some recipients developed a rare disorder involving blood clots within two weeks of vaccination.
But federal health officials decided that J&J’s one-and-done vaccine is critical to fight the pandemic. It decided that the small clot risk could be handled with warnings to help younger women decide if they should use that shot or an alternative.
“After a brief pause and a thorough review, the CDC and FDA have determined the vaccine is safe and effective,” Gov. Laura Kelly said in a news release. “Whether it’s the Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer or Moderna, I strongly encourage every Kansan to get vaccinated as soon as they can.”
The state expects to receive 1,700 doses of the J&J vaccine the week of May 3.
On Monday, Kansas reported 493 new COVID-19 cases since Friday, bringing its total to 307,865 since the pandemic began. Two new deaths were also reported, pushing the state’s coronavirus death toll to 4,970.
