PLAN YOUR VACCINE
Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Resumes In Utah
Apr 26, 2021, 5:19 PM | Updated: 8:07 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine received the green light again in Utah for distribution. The Centers for Disease Control paused the vaccine for two weeks after a small number of women developed severe blood clots after getting the shot.
On Friday the Utah Department of Health gave the go-ahead to providers in the Beehive State, saying they were clear to start distributing it again. Providers said planned to start Tuesday, others later in the week, and some the following week.
KSL-TV spoke to several women who said they would have no hesitation whatsoever getting the Johnson & Johnson shot.
“People in charge know what they are doing. The CDC has done all of their checks and double-checks. So, if they recommend it, I would be comfortable getting that,” said Anne Pimentel.
“I think they are a little overly cautious. It’s like being afraid that a match is going to start a house fire,” said Janet Tanner.
According to the health department, more than 86,000 Utahns got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine before the pause. Utah still had 53,000 doses left on the shelf and ready to go as soon as providers started giving them out.
“It’s critical we don’t wait to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Tamara Sheffield, Intermountain Healthcare’s medical director for Community of Health and Prevention.
She said she would recommend Johnson & Johnson to her own family.
“I think we ought to have confidence that the right steps are being taken and the right choice was made to get the vaccine back out there because there are individuals who need this specific vaccine and need easy access and need just one dose,” Sheffield said.
Coronavirus Resources
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Click here to sign up for a vaccine and here to see how Utah’s vaccine rollout is progressing.
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How do I prevent it?
The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:
- Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
- Avoid touching your face
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.