Gov DeSantis: Florida will follow Johnson & Johnson vaccination pause recommendation

Jacksonville FL — After the U.S. recommended a pause in using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while the CDC and FDA investigate six cases of blood clotting, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said the state will follow the recommendation. He says there have not been any reported negative side effects in Florida.

“Were respecting that decision, were gonna follow that recommendation and monitor what they’re doing for the time being”. DeSantis says.

Officials say if you’ve received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and developed reactions such as severe headaches, abdominal pains, leg pains, or shortness of breath within three weeks after getting your shot then you’ll need to contact your health care provider.

DeSantis says he’s hopeful this pause will only last a few days, which is what the FDA acting commissioner has said she expects will happen.

“My hope would be that this is something that is a little bit of a speed bump and that you would be able to get back”. DeSantis says.

In an update provided Tuesday after the governor’s comments, the state’s division of emergency management said the pause will be in effect until the state gets guidance from the CDC and FDA on how to resume administering the vaccines. Until J&J vaccination efforts continue, the state says the doses will be taken back to the nearest county health department and kept in storage until further notice. From the state’s standpoint, they say the pause is having an impact on operations at federally supported sites like the Gateway Mall, mobile pop-up vaccination events, and the homebound senior vaccination program. Currently, they are looking at the current vaccine supply to see if they can use the Pfizer and Moderna allocations to fill the void.

Here in Northeast Florida, the Gateway Mall and Edward Waters College vaccination sites have paused administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and the pop-up J&J event set for Tuesday at the Lutheran Social Services campus on Philips Highway has been postponed. The Gateway Mall site is still administering second doses of the Pfizer vaccine despite the pause in administering J&J’s vaccine.

Clay County says they are canceling two different Johnson & Johnson vaccination events that were scheduled for April 15th and 19th because of the pause. If you’ve made an appointment then you will be contacted by the county confirming the cancellation.

St. Johns County says the Johnson & Johnson pop-up vaccination events that were scheduled on April 15th, 16th, and 18th have all been postponed. At this time no makeup dates have been announced.

Even with the pause, there are still plenty of places in Northeast Florida to get vaccinated at. You can get your first dose of Pfizer at the Regency Square Mall, Legends Center, or Celebration Church in Jacksonville. A first dose of Moderna vaccine is available at Edward Waters College as well.

Cox Media Group