Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
CDC Investigates Blood Clot Cases Ahead Of Decision On J&J Shot
CNN: CDC Vaccine Advisers Will Meet Friday To Discuss The J&J Vaccine. Here's What Could Happen Next
Vaccine advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention meet Friday to make recommendations for use of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine after it was put on hold to investigate a potential link to serious blood clots. The CDC and US Food and Drug Administration recommended a pause on use of the J&J coronavirus vaccine last week following six reported US cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot. (Mascarenhas and Cohen, 4/20)
CNN: These Blood Clot Experts Want You To Get A Covid-19 Vaccine. Here's Why.
It was just about a year ago that doctors started noticing Covid-19 patients showing up in emergency rooms with strokes, and complained that blood clots were clogging up dialysis machines and other equipment being used to keep coronavirus patients alive. Frantic intensive care unit specialists reported "dramatic" blood clots in the heart, liver and other organs. Autopsies of coronavirus victims in New Orleans showed their lungs were jammed with clots. (Fox, 4/20)
AP: Nevada Teen Suffers Seizures, Brain Clots After J&J Vaccine
An 18-year-old woman in Nevada who suffered seizures after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine has received three brain surgeries related to blood clots, a spokesperson for her family said. Emma Burkey began feeling sick about a week after receiving the one-dose vaccine early this month, spokesman Bret Johnson said. She was one of six women in the U.S. and the only reported resident in Clark County, which includes Las Vegas, who experienced a serious clotting side effect. One person died. (4/20)
MarketWatch: Johnson & Johnson Vaccine ‘Pause’ Isn’t Crimping Confidence In The Vaccination Process, Survey Says
The federal “pause” in administering the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine doesn’t appear to have damaged public confidence in the vaccination process, one new survey suggests. Fifty-three percent of respondents polled in the wake of the pause agreed that it was a “good example of the rigorous safety monitoring of the COVID-19 vaccines that is in place to protect Americans.” In contrast, 29% said the pause was a case study on why the COVID-19 vaccines should be avoided. (Keshner, 4/20)
In global news about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine —
NPR: EU Regulator: 'Possible Link' Between Johnson & Johnson Vaccine And Rare Blood Clots
The European Union's drug regulator said Tuesday it had concluded there is a "possible link" between the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and several cases in the U.S. of a rare type of blood clot, but emphasized that the shot's benefits "in preventing COVID-19 outweigh the risks of side effects." (Neuman, 4/20)
AP: Czech Republic Rolls Out J&J Vaccines
The Czech Republic is rolling out the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccines after examination by the European regulator. ... The Czech Health Ministry says the first 14,400 dozes will be sent to general practitioners across the country. Another 24,000 J&J vaccines are expected to be delivered next week. (4/21)
