CDC now recommends Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines over Johnson & Johnson’s due to risk of fatal blood clots
The CDC has updated its COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for adults, announcing that vaccines developed by Moderna or Pfizer/BioNTech are preferred over the one developed by Johnson & Johnson.
One of the primary reasons for this change is the fact that Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine is associated with an elevated risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), a blood-clotting issue that can potentially be fatal.
“Today’s updated recommendation emphasizes CDC’s commitment to provide real-time scientific information to the American public,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, said in a prepared statement. “I continue to encourage all Americans to get vaccinated and boosted.”
Johnson & Johnson issued its own statement after the CDC’s announcement.
“The safety and well-being of those who use the Johnson & Johnson vaccine continues to be our No. 1 priority,” said Mathai Mammen MD, PhD, the company’s global head of Janssen research and development. “We appreciate today’s discussion and look forward to working with the CDC on next steps. In addition, we strongly support education and generating awareness of rare events, such as TTS and how to effectively manage it.”
Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.