Hawaii to resume administration of J&J vaccine after national ‘pause’ is lifted

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - The state said it will resume the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after the US lifted an 11-day “pause” meant to investigate rare instances of blood clots.

Shots could start being administered again as early as next week.

A state Health Department spokesman said a screening form for those who get the shot is being updated. Once it is, the state Health Department will once again administer the single-dose vaccine.

[Read more: US to resume J&J COVID vaccinations despite rare clot risk]

The government uncovered 15 vaccine recipients nationwide who developed a highly unusual kind of blood clot out of nearly 8 million people given the J&J shot. All were women, most under age 50.

Three people died, and seven remain hospitalized.

But ultimately, federal health officials decided that J&J’s one-and-done vaccine is critical to fighting the pandemic — and that the small clot risk could be handled with warnings to help younger women decide if they should use that shot or an alternative.

“The Johnson & Johnson vaccine continues to be another valuable tool in the fight against COVID-19,” the state Health Department said. “Those who do not want to wait for a Johnson & Johnson vaccine are encouraged to schedule a vaccine appointment for one of the other vaccine products.”

There are hundreds of appointments available and everyone 16 and up in Hawaii is eligible.

To find an appointment, click here.

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