HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR041421MODEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: April 14, 2021
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
SARAH K. BLANE, CHIEF OF STAFF
(808) 241-4900
Kaua‘i clinics pause Johnson & Johnson vaccine, continue to offer Moderna and Pfizer
appointments
LĪHUʻE – The Kaua‘i District Health Office confirmed that all Kaua‘i vaccine administration sites
have complied with the federal recommendation to pause administration of Johnson & Johnson's
COVID-19 vaccine out of an abundance of caution.
Some vaccination providers scheduled to administer Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the coming
days may offer Pfizer or Moderna vaccine instead.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) are reviewing data involving six cases in which individuals who received the
Johnson & Johnson vaccine developed blood clots.
“These events were extremely rare. DOH is pausing use of the vaccine because the health and
safety of our community is our primary concern,” said Kaua‘i District Health Officer, Dr. Janet Berreman.
“Out of nearly 7 million doses of vaccine administered, these serious blood clots occurred in six
people—fewer than one in a million. In contrast, if you get the COVID-19 disease, it causes significant
neurological and psychological effects in the six months following infection in one of three of those
infected.”
The blood clots, called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, occurred in women ages 18 to 48.
Symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination.
There are no reports of anyone in Hawai‘i developing blood clots after receiving a Johnson &
Johnson vaccine. People who received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the past three weeks should
contact their healthcare provider if they experience a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or
shortness of breath.
For more information, please read the official statement issued jointly by the CDC and FDA:
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s0413-JJ-vaccine.html
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which use different delivery technology than the Johnson &
Johnson vaccine, are widely available on Kaua‘i. Over 185 million doses of these vaccines have been
safely administered in the United States. “We strongly encourage Kaua‘i residents to proceed with being
vaccinated with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine,” said Dr. Berreman. “Being vaccinated protects
you and our community, and contributes to our economic recovery by keeping workers healthy and on
the job.”
All Kaua‘i residents age 16 and older can make appointments now for the Pfizer vaccine, and
residents 18 and older for the Moderna vaccine, by visiting www.kauai.gov/vaccine.
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