RIVERSIDE – (INT) – County health officials say they will follow the CDC recommendation to pause using the Johnson and Johnson 1-shot vaccine until there is new guidance.

There have been no reports in Riverside County of the rare, blood clot illness like those described in the CDC guidance among the 19,424 doses of Johnson and Johnson that have been administered.

San Bernardino County is taking similar steps recommended by the CDC. "Although this condition is extremely rare among Johnson & Johnson recipients - much more rare than serious blood clots among those who contract COVID-19 - this pause is prudent pending further federal review," San Bernardino County Health Officer Dr. Michael A. Sequeira said.

There are no warnings of similar issues with the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine that is also available for use.

“It is critical the public have the confidence of the safety of vaccines that we offer,” said Dr. Geoffrey Leung, public health officer for Riverside County.
The county operates public health clinics at four permanent locations and runs eight mobile teams that temporarily offer vaccines at various locations.

The clinic at Alessandro High School in Hemet was set to open Tuesday with Johnson and Johnson, but officials were Pfizer to the 285 people who had appointments and giving them the option to switch. Mobile team clinics in Hemet, Mead Valley and Lakeland Village were canceled. About 400 people were scheduled at the mobile clinics.

Story Date: April 22, 2021