COVID-19 Vaccine Gets New Green Light

According to federal health officials, it's safe to get the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine again.

After a review of the vaccine's safety and effectiveness, officials from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended that people resume receiving the vaccine.

Last month, health officials recommended a pause in administration of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine after six reports of a rare and serious type of blood clot in women who had received it. This condition did not appear to be tied to the other two COVID-19 vaccines in use in the United States.

The blood clot that was tied to this one-dose vaccine is called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). It occurred in six women who had received the vaccine. All of the women were between the ages of 18 and 59, and one of them died from the condition.

"We’ve lifted the pause based on the FDA and CDC’s review of all available data and in consultation with medical experts and based on recommendations from the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices," said Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Janet Woodcock in a press release. "We have concluded that the known and potential benefits of the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine outweigh its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older. We are confident that this vaccine continues to meet our standards for safety, effectiveness and quality."

The risk of blood clot conditions tied to this vaccine appears to be very low. Out of 6.8 million doses of this COVID-19 vaccine, six were tied to CVST, according to the FDA. COVID-19 vaccines are still thought to be safe and one of the key ways to put a stop to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, the FDA and CDC said they will continue to monitor for adverse outcomes tied to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. They recommended that people who have questions about which COVID-19 vaccine is right for them speak with their doctors.