Sparta pharmacies respond to issues with the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

Side effect of blood clotting issue concerns healthcare personnel

Posted

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a statement suggesting that all administration of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, the popular “one and done” shot, be paused. On April 13, the Tennessee Department of Health released a statement saying they would be following the guidance that came from both the CDC as well as from the Food and Drug Administration.

“Our vaccine supply continues to surpass demand, and we do not anticipate this shift will impact our efforts to vaccinate as many Tennesseans as possible,” the TDH added in their released statement. “We continue to monitor the situation closely.”

Reports of serious adverse effects after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are rare. However, after six cases out of nearly seven million doses administered resulted in what are being described as “rare but serious blood clots,” the TDH is taking necessary precautions and coordinating with vaccine providers that may have the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in supply to ensure residents of Tennessee who are seeking a vaccine have access to vaccines manufactured by either Pfizer or Moderna.

“Both vaccines are highly effective at preventing COVID-19 after 14 days from the second vaccine dose,” the TDH reminded Tennesseans. “Both doses are required to achieve the best protection against the virus that causes COVID-19.”

Joyce Tatum, owner of Payless Family Pharmacy said her pharmacy had been scheduled to give vaccines on April 13, but contacted patients to inform them they would not be administering the Johnson &  Johnson vaccine and would be providing them with other options.

“I immediately began calling patients and telling them that we would not be giving the Johnson and Johnson vaccine until we received further guidance from the FDA and CDC,” Tatum said and also stated there is no indication of when that guidance may come. “We don’t know if it will be days or weeks or months from now, but we will not be distributing the Johnson and Johnson vaccine until we get that approval.”

Tatum said she is offering patients the option to choose the Moderna version of the vaccine, the other one that her pharmacy has in stock at this time.

A call to Walgreens, in Sparta, found they had not been offering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and have only had the Pfizer branded vaccine, therefore their distribution had not been interrupted by Tuesday’s announcement.

Beth Kirby, at Sparta Discount Drug Center LLC, also said her pharmacy will be pausing the Johnson & Johnson vaccinations until the issues surrounding it has been solved.  Kirby said Sparta Discount Drugs Center is offering the Moderna vaccine to all appointments already scheduled until new recommendations come from the FDA.

“We apologize for the inconvenience but want to make sure we are protecting your health and safety,” she said.

A call to Sparta’s Walmart Pharmacy was directed to their corporate office. That call had not been returned as of press time.

Individuals seeking a COVID-19 vaccine appointment can visit covid19.tn.gov or vaccinefinder.org to schedule an appointment with a local vaccine provider or call their local pharmacy.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here