The U.S. FDA on Tuesday recommended an immediate halt of the use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, citing cases of a rare blood clot disorder that six women developed within two weeks of receiving the shot.
The latest: Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock said at a briefing that she expects the pause to only last “a matter of days,” as health officials investigate the data surrounding the “extremely rare” blood clots.
Driving the news: The FDA’s recommendation was issued “out of an abundance of caution” and to prepare health providers to recognize and treat patients appropriately, since these types of blood clots require a different kind of treatment. Continue reading.