Excited that a day earlier she had finally decided to be vaccinated against Covid-19 with the Pfizer formulation instead with Johnson & Johnson, which was her initial choice, Henna Ramcadani left the vaccination center in Washington yesterday.
A few hours earlier, the US federal health authorities had suggested suspending the Johnson & Johnson monosodium vaccine for at least a few days after the onset of six cases of thrombosis, one of which was fatal, in women under 50 who had been vaccinated six to 13 days earlier.
“At first I wanted that one (from Johnson & Johnson) because it was ‘out there’ and I’m too scared of injections. “But I can not imagine that I would do it now,” says the 26-year-old.
A little further down, 69-year-old transportation company employee Kenneth Robinson was guiding some citizens to the convention center for their vaccination appointments.
He was vaccinated with the J&J vaccine last month and showed no concern when it was announced that it had been suspended due to fears about the safety of the vaccine. He feels great and is grateful for the immunity he has acquired. “It’s too late now!” he says with a smile.
Following the sudden decision of the health authorities, which forced some vaccination centers in the USA to cancel the appointments of the citizens or to choose the administration of other vaccines against COVID-19, Americans’ reactions vary: From disappointment, because they lose access to the choice of a single – dose vaccine, until fear that they may develop rare thrombosis.
“Honestly, even today I would do it” says Cole Parsons, 40, a hotel executive who was scheduled to be vaccinated with Johnson & Johnson in New Orleans yesterday, before the vaccine center suddenly started giving Moderna and Pfizer vaccines instead of the monosodium vaccine.
Just six people out of about seven million Americans vaccinated with J&J developed rare blood clots in the brain.
“It simply came to our notice then to be attacked by an alligator in the swamp the to be struck by lightning from having a side effect from the vaccine, “says Parsons.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the chances of being struck by lightning within a year are about one in 500,000.
Vaccine experts say that even if thrombosis is associated with the J&J vaccine, the risk is too small when weighed against protection against potentially serious effects from COVID-19.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that suspending the single-dose vaccine will give it time to tell doctors how to diagnose and treat the thrombotic condition.
Taka Katakayama, 39, a production coordinator, was due to be vaccinated with J&J at the Javits Center in New York yesterday, but ended up being vaccinated with Pfizer. Katakayama wanted to be vaccinated with J&J instead of a two-dose vaccine because, as he puts it, “I wanted to get rid of it.”
Instead, he is worried about his wife, who was vaccinated with J&J a few days earlier. “I just hope nothing bad happens to her,” she says.
According to the CDC, the decision to suspend J&J was made “out of caution”.
Actress and model Lindsay Weller, 34, describes dancing while waiting for her turn to be vaccinated with the monosodium vaccine last week in Hagerstown, Maryland, thus entertaining the staff of the vaccination center.
Yesterday’s news did not diminish her enthusiasm. “It simply came to our notice then. “I hope it does not prevent people from being vaccinated,” he said.
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
