Rise In Blood Clot Cases Leads To Hesitation About Johnson & Johnson Vaccine

A panel of U.S. health officials released a new recommendation on Thursday advising Americans against the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, compared to the Pfizer or Moderna shot, due to cases of blood clots stemming from the one-dose treatment.

The advisors came together to evaluate a potential connection between the J&J shot and thrombosis and thrombocytopenia syndrome, which produces a rare form of blood clotting, according to the Fox News report.

What differentiates the two sets of shots are the mRNA and viral vector's varying modes of fighting COVID. The Pfizer and Moderna shots develop proteins to build a response, while the J&J therapeutic introduces elements of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to help the body produce antibodies.

However, a pending investigation into "54 cases of the blood clots, nine of which have been fatal" that allegedly stem from receiving the treatment has caused some experts to question the J&J shot.

Despite the new data's release, the CDC still claims that the benefits of the J&J shot outweigh the risk of potential blood clotting.

Over the summer, parts of Europe halted distribution of the Moderna vaccine after cases of heart inflammation were discovered among teenage boys.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky will have to make a final decision on the panel's findings regarding the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. However, a firm warning against the vaxx is not expected.

"More than 200 million Americans have completed their primary vaccine series, providing protection against COVID-19, preventing millions of cases and hospitalizations, and saving over a million lives," the Director commented. "Today's updated recommendation emphasizes CDC's commitment to provide real-time scientific information to the American public."

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