Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
J&J Vaccine Use Likely To Resume; Decision Expected Today
CBS News: The CDC And FDA Are Leaning Toward Resuming Use Of The Johnson & Johnson Vaccine, Sources Say
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration are leaning toward resuming use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine with a warning about blood clots, sources told CBS News. A decision is expected Friday, more than a week after the vaccine's distribution was paused following reports of rare but dangerous blood clots in eight people under the age of 50. "I think too many people may be scared off by taking the vaccine. They shouldn't be, but perception is everything when it comes to vaccines," said Dr. Peter Hotez, who works at the Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development. (Shamlian, 4/22)
Fox News: Walensky 'Hopeful' Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine 'Can Be Used Again Soon'
A day before a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) committee is set to meet regarding the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, the agency’s director said she is "really hopeful" that the one-shot jab "can be used again soon." Speaking to TODAY, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, whose agency along with the FDA recommended a pause in the vaccine’s rollout after six cases of a rare blood clot occurred in the more than 7 million vaccine recipients, said the agency will "need to make a decision quickly" regarding its use. (Hein, 4/22)
Politico: White House Writes Off Johnson & Johnson Vaccine After String Of Production Failures
The Biden administration has stood by Johnson & Johnson as the vaccine maker struggled to deliver promised doses of its Covid-19 vaccine — but privately, frustrated senior health officials have largely written off the shot, according to seven people with knowledge of the matter. Johnson & Johnson, which has a long history of successful vaccine development, was one of the government’s first and biggest bets in the coronavirus vaccine race. But the company has faced an unrelenting series of setbacks, including a contractor mix-up that ruined 15 million doses and revealed serious safety and hygiene lapses, and concerns that the vaccine may be linked to recent reports of rare, severe blood clots among recipients. (Banco, Cancryn and Owermohle, 4/22)
AP: Feds Report Texas Woman With Clots After Getting J&J Vaccine
Federal health officials have informed state officials that a Texas woman has been hospitalized with possible blood clots associated with Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine recipients, a state spokesman said Thursday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention informed the Texas Department of State Health Services of the situation Wednesday afternoon through the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, said DSHS spokesman Chris Van Deusen. (4/22)
AP: Oregon: CDC Investigating Woman's Death After J&J Vaccine
Oregon health officials said Thursday that federal officials are investigating the death of a woman in her 50s who developed a rare blood clot and low platelets within two weeks of receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine against COVID-19.The Oregon Health Authority learned of the probe on Tuesday, two days after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began the investigation, the agency said. The woman, whose name was not released, received the dose before the CDC ordered a pause on the vaccine amid concerns it could cause dangerous clots. (Flaccus and Cline, 4/23)
Also —
The New York Times: South Africa Decides To Resume Use Of Johnson & Johnson Vaccines.
South Africa will resume the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to inoculate health care workers next week, offering some relief to the country that has suffered a series of blows to its vaccination efforts in recent months, according to South African authorities. The country suspended an early-access Johnson & Johnson vaccination program last week after health officials in the United States put a pause on the vaccine amid concerns of rare blood clots that emerged in a handful of people who received it. (Goldbaum, 4/23)
