On April 24, the Oregon Health Authority announced that Oregon health care providers and pharmacies could resume administering the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine throughout Oregon.  

This announcement came a day after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted the pause that had been placed on the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine since April 13. The FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated the pause out of an abundance of caution in order to investigate six cases of a rare and severe type of blot clot that had occurred in six women, ages 18–48, following vaccination with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

On April 23, a federal vaccine safety review panel completed its investigation and determined that the “vaccine’s known and potential benefits outweigh its known and potential risks in individuals 18 years of age and older.” 

The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, composed of immunization and public health experts from Oregon, California, Washington and Nevada, conducted a separate analysis of the federal review process and, on April 24, determined that the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is “generally safe and effective.”   

As a caveat, Oregon vaccine providers now must ensure that individuals receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine receive warning information about the potential for the rare side effects. 

You can read the full OHA press release here.