Montco Commissioners Will Get Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Shots

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — In an effort to "publicly demonstrate confidence" in the unpaused Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Montgomery County Commissioners Val Arkoosh and Ken Lawrence will receive the shot on Wednesday morning.

After initially recommending that administration of J&J doses be temporarily halted while further investigation of cases was completed, the CDC determined last week that the vaccine can continue.

"(The CDC) determined that blood clot incidents are extremely rare, and that the vaccine is safe and effective for all individuals moving forward," the county said in a statement. "This latest announcement shows that the federal oversight process of a vaccine’s safety and effectiveness is working, and all steps are being taken to protect Americans."

Wednesday will also mark the first day that Montgomery County is moving forward with administering Johnson & Johnson vaccines since the pause, which has been in place since April 13.

Anticipating that there might be some continued community skepticism, Arkoosh and Lawrence planned to receive the vaccine at the new walk-up community clinic in Norristown. The clinic, located at St. John's Episcopal Church, will run Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and requires no registration.

It will coincide with a weekly food distribution program for the homeless.

Residents still have a choice of switching to the Pfizer vaccine by booking a new appointment through Montgomery County's online system.

To register for a vaccine in Montgomery County, see here.