Vaccination programs in Nassau and Suffolk are set to resume using the Johnson & Johnson vaccine this week now that federal health officials ended the 11-day pause.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Drug Administration announced last week that the vaccine is critical to fight the pandemic. They had previously recommended the pause as they probed reports of rare but serious blood clots.
Nassau County Executive Laura Curran announced the county will resume the Johnson & Johnson vaccine Tuesday for its homebound program.
"We do have about 232 doses of Johnson & Johnson ready to go right now and we have about 350 on our waiting list but we have to go through and make sure they are all homebound," says Curran.
Catherine Dillon, of Westbury, says she's happy to hear that the vaccine is back in use. Dillon, who can't get out, is waiting to hear when someone will be able to give her the vaccine at home.
The Suffolk County Health Department will resume administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine starting Tuesday through its program to vaccinate homebound individuals.
Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital's mobile vaccination unit will resume using the vaccine on Wednesday.
However, pharmacists say they are at a standstill because they are waiting for guidance from the state Health Department.
Pharmacists say once they get the go ahead, they'll make phone calls to begin rescheduling people who were interested in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
As for colleges, Adelphi says the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is still being reviewed as an option. Suffolk Community College says it's waiting for further guidance from the SUNY system.