Tioga Public Health urges anyone with post J&J symptoms to contact care provider

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Anyone that already received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who experiences severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks of getting the shot should contact their health care provider. Tioga County Public Health will continue to monitor the situation and will update the public as more information becomes available.

Tioga County Public Health encourages individuals not to hold out for a specific vaccine, but
rather seek out a site within New York State that is easy for them to access and get vaccinated
sooner rather than later. “We’re aware that there is a lot of fear and hesitancy around the
vaccine,” says Katie Wait, Public Health Preparedness Coordinator, “however; it’s better to be
vaccinated against COVID-19, than to be infected with COVID-19. The benefits far outweigh any
potential risks associated with being vaccinated. We also understand the challenges that a two
dose series poses; however, we really encourage people to go out and be vaccinated, because
some protection is better than none.

”The CDC and FDA have issued a statement recommending a pause in the use of the Johnson &
Johnson vaccine, out of an abundance of caution. This recommendation comes after six
reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot occurred in individuals after
receiving the J&J vaccine. All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48,
and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination. Right now, the adverse events appear to
be extremely rare.

Both the CDC and the FDA are reviewing data involving the six reported U.S. cases to assess
their potential significance. Over 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have
already been administered in the U.S.
New York State’s Health Commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker, made a statement acknowledging
the recommendations, and that NYS will follow suit with the CDC and FDA and pause the use of
the Johnson & Johnson vaccine statewide “immediately”, until the health and safety agencies
evaluate next steps.