Arlington Halts Johnson & Johnson Vaccine After Health Warning

ARLINGTON, MA — Town officials said Thursday they are pausing distribution of the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine amid warnings of rare side effects. Six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot were reported among people who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the CDC and FDA said this week.

All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6-13 days after vaccination.

The agencies recommended a pause in using the vaccine "out of an abundance of caution," guidance that the town is following. The Health Department previously administered about 80 doses of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine in its home-bound vaccination efforts.

People who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks of receiving the vaccine should contact their health care provider.