WASHINGTON – The future of Johnson and Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine is in the hands of CDC advisers who are set to meet Friday, and likely vote, on updated recommendations for the use of the one-dose vaccine in the U.S.
For the past 10 days a pause on the vaccine has been in place after reports of six out of about seven
The panel will hear about at least one additional case reported, before likely voting on updated recommendations for the future of the vaccine in the nation.
In Europe, the J&J vaccine is back in use after a pause for similar concerns there but, with a warning about risks, and what to look out for.
The European Medicines Agency saying the vaccine’s benefits outweigh the very rare risk of blood clots.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they came out with something similar to that,” said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
The U.S. now at a tipping point with vaccine supply set to outpace demand, as officials in some areas of the nation struggle to fill appointments, due in part to vaccine hesitancy.
“All the polls would say that all those people are still not sure that they want to take part in this amazing opportunity to put this virus behind us,” explained Dr. Francis Collins with the National Institutes of Health.
For those who are vaccinated, the CDC also considering loosening its outdoor mask recommendations.
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