Indiana Lifts Pause On Johnson & Johnson Vaccines Follows FDA, CDC

The Indiana Department of Health announced Friday it is lifting its pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, following federal guidance.

The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised pausing use of the vaccine on April 13, while both conducted investigations into an extremely rare but serious side effect.

Eight of the 6.8 million people who have received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine developed a rare and severe type of blood clot. 

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In a statement, the FDA and CDC said the investigations determined the vaccine was safe to use, but included new guidance for primary care and vaccine providers for a blood clot, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with low levels of blood platelets. The organizations also said the risk for this blood clot remains extremely rare.

Symptoms appeared six to 13 days after vaccination. Those symptoms were severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath.

The state department of health announced Indiana would resume use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in a mass vaccination clinic at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. 

The clinic runs April 23-30, including a "family vaccination" day on April 30, where Pfizer vaccines will be available for Hoosiers age 16-18. 

Appointments run from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. To register online go to OurShot.IN.gov or call 211. 

Those with an appointment can enter the speedway at Gate 2, off of 16th Street.

IDOH did not say if other vaccine clinics previously offering Johnson & Johnson vaccines would resume.

Contact Lauren at lchapman@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @laurenechapman_.