doctor administering a vaccine to a patient
"Out of an abundance of caution, VCU and VCU Health System have stopped using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine immediately," the university and health system announced Tuesday. (Getty Images)

April 13, 2021

VCU and VCU Health suspend use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine

The suspension comes after federal health agencies on Tuesday called for an immediate pause in use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

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By VCU News staff

Updated May 3, 2021. In keeping with the recent decision by the CDC and FDA, VCU Health has lifted the temporary pause it placed on administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. We are now administering all three vaccines — Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. This content is accurate as of the update date. For the most up-to-date information on this topic, please visit the VCU Health COVID-19 vaccine page.

Virginia Commonwealth University and VCU Health have suspend use of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine after federal health agencies on Tuesday called for an immediate pause in its use. VCU and VCU Health issued the following statement Tuesday morning:

As we work to end the COVID-19 pandemic, the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and patients is our top priority. Vaccines continue to be one of our best tools in this effort, despite the recent news from the FDA about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. After the FDA and CDC recommended pausing its use until further review, VCU and VCU Health System have stopped using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine immediately.

To date, only a limited number of patients have received the J&J vaccine, and we will closely monitor them for any signs and symptoms of severe reactions. The new guidelines were issued after six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the J&J vaccine.

We are using our Moderna and Pfizer vaccine supply to honor any vaccination appointments today. We continue to urge anyone who has not yet been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible with Moderna and Pfizer until there is more clarity about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

We are currently working on an operational plan for future vaccinations, in close partnership with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). This is a changing situation and we will share updates as they become available.