Oregon health officials encouraged by federal approval to resume use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine; Oregon use pending Western States’ review, April 26

OHA release – A federal vaccine safety review panel announced Friday that it recommends lifting the pause on the use and distribution of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for people 18 and older. The Food and Drug administration has followed the recommendation and lifted the pause, adding a warning about the potential for rare blood clots for women under age 50. State health experts will review the federal decisions and will participate as part of Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup that will be assessing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FDA decision today based on the panel’s recommendation. Once that review is completed, the Oregon Health Authority will share its recommendations to clinicians and vaccine providers on plans for the resumption of the vaccine’s use and distribution in Oregon. Dr. Dean Sidelinger, Oregon’s state health officer said, “Friday’s federal actions are encouraging news as we confront the latest surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. This thorough scientific review found that the benefits of the Johnson & Johnson outweigh the risks. And the prompt and rigorous safety examination can give us all confidence that adverse events are carefully scrutinized.”