Now that the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have suggested that the distribution of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine should be paused, many consumers who have already gotten the vaccinations may be wondering what they should do now.
The pause was issued by both agencies after six women who received the J&J vaccine experienced unusual clots 6 to 13 days after getting their shots, The Associated Press reported.
The clots happened where the blood drains from the brain and also happened with low platelet counts. All of the women were between the age of 18 and 48.
>> Related: Coronavirus: US health agencies call for pause in use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine
One case was fatal and another woman is in critical condition, a joint CDC and FDA news conference confirmed Tuesday. The New York Times had previously reported the death and hospitalization.
Keep in mind, this happened in six cases out of the more than 6.8 million doses and many have had no or mild side effects, the AP reported.
Many states, as well as federally run vaccine distribution locations, have paused the distribution with many now distributing either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
So what should you do if you had a J&J vaccine?
If you have had severe headaches, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath three weeks after getting your vaccine, you should call your doctor, the CDC said in the joint news conference and the FDA said online earlier in the day.
If you have had no side effects that are associated with blood clots, then the risk of having a reaction is unlikely.
Doctors are being directed to report the side effects.
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Cox Media Group
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