The Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Pause Explained

Apr 15, 2021

Carl Zimmer, a science writer for The New York Times, dives into the recent pause of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine due to rare blood-clotting concerns. He explains the decision-making process and its swift impact across the U.S. Zimmer highlights the importance of vaccine safety and the challenges of public communication in addressing hesitancy. He also discusses the low risk of these conditions compared to COVID-19, reassuring those recently vaccinated. The conversation sheds light on broader implications for vaccination efforts and public trust.

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ANECDOTE

AstraZeneca Precedent

The story of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause starts in Europe with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
European regulators noticed rare blood clots in some recipients of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

INSIGHT

Unusual Clot Combination

Blood clots are common, so their occurrence in vaccinated individuals doesn't automatically imply causality.
The concerning aspect was a specific type of brain clot combined with low platelets, a key component in blood clotting.

INSIGHT

Similar Vaccine Technology

The AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines use similar technology.
This led regulators to investigate if the rare clotting issue seen with AstraZeneca might also occur with J&J.

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Federal health agencies on Tuesday called for a pause in the use of Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus shot as they examine a rare blood-clotting disorder that emerged in six recipients.

Every state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico halted their rollout of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine almost immediately. The same went for the U.S. military, federally run vaccination sites, and CVS, Walgreens, and other stores.

Today, science writer Carl Zimmer explains the decision-making process, how long the suspension might last and the impact it could have not only in the U.S. but around the world.

Guest: Carl Zimmer, a science writer and author of the “Matter” column for The New York Times.

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Background reading:

Injections of Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine came to a sudden halt across the United States on Tuesday after federal health agencies called for a pause in the vaccine’s use.
The pause could continue for a week to 10 days, after expert advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined on Wednesday that they needed more time to assess a possible link to a rare but serious blood-clotting disorder.
What does the pause mean for people who have recently received the Johnson & Johnson shot and how common are blood clots? Here’s what you need to know.
Safety worries about the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have jeopardized inoculation campaigns far beyond the United States. The actions of American and European officials have stoked doubts in poorer countries, where a history of colonialism and unethical medical practices have left a legacy of mistrust in vaccines.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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