Oklahoma health officials announced they would stop the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control asked states to halt the use of all Johnson and Johnson vaccines after six women experienced rare blood clot issues resulting in one death and one hospitalization.

Today FDA and @CDCgov issued a statement regarding the Johnson & Johnson #COVID19 vaccine. We are recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution.

— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) April 13, 2021

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have asked all of our vaccine sites to pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine immediately while we gather more information,”  Oklahoma Health Commissioner Lance Frye said. “This type of potential adverse reaction following administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is extremely rare and has occurred in less than one in every million recipients.”
Federal officials say 6.8 million Americans have received the vaccine with 62,000 being given to Oklahomans. The Oklahoma State Department of Health says they are working with vaccine providers to offer Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to Oklahomans who have scheduled to receive a J&J vaccine.
“We have plenty of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine on hand to ensure that every Oklahoman who wants a vaccine can get one,” Oklahoma Deputy Health Commissioner Keith Reed said.
Questions and speculations immediately began circulating on how this would affect national and state vaccine distribution.
“This pause will have minimal impact on Oklahoma’s vaccine effort,” Reed said. “Today’s action demonstrates the sensitivity of our monitoring system and our commitment to take any potential adverse reaction very seriously. After the administration of tens of millions of doses across the country, the Moderna and Pfizer vaccine has proven to be extremely safe. We continue to encourage all Oklahomans to get their shot to protect themselves and loved ones.”
Oklahomans who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develop a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their healthcare provider.

“The health and safety of Oklahomans remain our top priority,” Frye said. “We feel it is best to pause administration of this vaccine in alignment with the CDC and FDA’s recommendation until more data on this potential adverse reaction is available.”