To ACPHS Community,

Based on today's FDA and CDC joint statement, and NYS Department of Health's statement, we are pausing use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and cancelling the remaining student vaccination clinics that were scheduled for today and tomorrow on campus. Students have already been notified of the cancellation and we will be doing additional follow up with those students who were vaccinated yesterday to ensure they are aware of the rare potentially adverse reaction.

The FDA and CDC recommended that states pause using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while they convene a group of experts to review reports of cases of a rare blood disorder involving clots occurring in individuals within three weeks after receiving this vaccine. To date, six cases have been reported among nearly 7 million vaccinated individuals in the U.S. While it is not expected since this adverse event is extremely rare, students who were given the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who experience severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after receiving the shot should contact their health care provider immediately.

Greg Dewey

ACPHS President