Thread by @DearPandemic

1/ Breaking news: Federal officials hit the pause button on #JohnsonandJohnson vaccine.

Giving themselves runway to perform all appropriate due diligence, the @US_FDA & @CDCgov have called for a temporary pause in the use of the #JandJ vaccine.

2/ Their diligence will analyze the cases of 6 U.S. women who developed very rare blood clots after receiving the J&J vaccine. Nearly seven million people have received this vaccine to-date in the U.S.

3/ Clinical notes:

All 6 events happened in women ages 18-48. All happened within three weeks post-vaccination. The pause is specific to the #JohnsonandJohnson vaccine, & not the #Pfizer & #Moderna vaccines.

4/ In a joint announcement, the two agencies advised:

“People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider”
bit.ly/3a7roan

5/ How the Nerdies are processing the news:

✔️ Our MINDS take great comfort in the reminder that this is an exceedingly rare occurrence. wapo.st/3mLsnSD

6/ As vaccine expert @DrPaulOffit reassures: “You have a greater chance of being in a car accident on the way to getting this vaccine than you have of having a problem from this vaccine.”
bit.ly/3tmqVsw

7/ 💔 While our HEARTS go out to the six women & their families.

🙏 We honor the importance of taking a PURPOSEFUL PAUSE at both the micro level – as individuals exposed to scary headlines – & at the macro level – as scientists grateful for the FDA & CDC’s care & deliberation.

8/ We remain your steadfast nerds on the information frontlines & promise to report out as the story unfolds.

The key federal advisory committee meets tomorrow (Wednesday, April 14). This is an emerging story and we expect updates.