State plans to follow CDC recommendation, pause J&J vaccine
April 13, 2021
The state of South Dakota will temporarily pause use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
That follows a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, after six reported U.S. cases among women of a rare and severe type of blood clot after receiving the vaccine:
“The safety and well-being of all South Dakotans is our top priority. Out of an abundance of caution and until we know more on the reported cases, all vaccinators across our state will follow the CDC’s and FDA’s recommendations and pause all administration of the J&J vaccine until further notice,” Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon said in a statement.
“We remain confident all those who’ve already received the J&J shot have no reason for immediate concern but encourage residents to speak with their medical providers should concerns arise.”
As of today, 15,743 South Dakotans have received the J&J vaccine, and no adverse cases of concern have been identified in the state, the Health Department said.
According to the statement by the CDC and FDA, any adverse events “appear to be rare” and those affected would experience “severe headaches, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination.”
“Our department remains in contact with health care providers across the state, who are all closely monitoring this development within their patient community,” Malsam-Rysdon said.
Both Sioux Falls health systems have started to offer walk-in vaccination, which requires two doses. Avera is accepting walk-in appointments from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 3901 W. 59th St. Sanford is accepting walk-ins from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Thursday at its vaccination center, located inside Sanford Imagenetics, 1321 W 22nd St. Sanford’s walk-in hours for following weeks may vary, depending on the number of doses available.
You must be a South Dakota resident and at least 16 years old to receive the vaccine. You don’t have to be a patient at either system.
