LI health experts assure that benefits of J&J vaccine outweigh potential risks after federal regulators lift pause

U.S. health officials say out of the nearly 8 million people who got that vaccine, they found 15 cases of the rare blood clot syndrome, including three that were fatal.

News 12 Staff

Apr 24, 2021, 9:32 PM

Updated 1,342 days ago

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Health experts from Long Island say they believe the benefits of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine outweigh the potential risks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration lifted the pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccine after researching the rare blood clot risk.
U.S. health officials say out of the nearly 8 million people who got that vaccine, they found 15 cases of the rare blood clot syndrome, including three that were fatal.
Dr. Matthew Harris is the medical director of the Northwell Health vaccination program.
He says, "Blood clots associated with Johnson & Johnson are extraordinarily rare, in the general population there is not a huge numbers of people who are at high risk for these clots."
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran says if homebound individuals want the Johnson & Johnson shot, they need to call the Senior Vaccine Call Center at 516-227-9590 to make an appointment.
Curran says the shot will eventually be available at vaccination pods.
As for Suffolk County, the health department says it will resume the Johnson & Johnson vaccine starting April 27 through its program to vaccinate homebound individuals.
Nidhan Mohan is the supervising pharmacist at West Islip Pharmacy. He says he has a waiting list of people he'll be calling to let them know the vaccine is now available again.
"I'm sure people will have reservations because of what happened, but when I look at statistics as a health care provider, I am comfortable and the review has been done," Mohan says.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says that New York state will resume administration of the vaccine at all of its state-run sites effective immediately.
Local health experts also say they've seen a significant drop in vaccine appointments in the tri-state area. They warn Long Islanders not to become complacent.
Health experts say anyone who has concerns about the COVID-19 vaccination should consult their doctor.