New Mexico pauses administration of J&J vaccine

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is pausing administration of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in response to a federal recommendation stemming from reports of potentially dangerous blood clots.

“New Mexico – like the federal government – is acting out of an abundance of caution,” DOH Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins said. “As we learn more, we will share that information.”

State officials said scheduled J&J events and vaccinations will be paused or shifted to Pfizer and Moderna.

In a joint statement Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said the federal government was investigating reports of six "rare and severe" blood clots – out of 6.8 million doses given – among women in the days after vaccination.

In New Mexico, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been administered in about 39,000 people.

State health officials do not believe people who received the vaccine should be panicked.

However, they are advised to watch out for certain symptoms.

"Within three weeks of your vaccination, if you develop severe headaches, blurred vision, seizure, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath, again within three weeks of your vaccination, please contact your healthcare provider," said Matt Bieber, communications director for the New Mexico Department of Health. "If it’s been more than a month since you gotten your vaccination, according to the CDC this morning, your risk of anything happening is extremely low.”