The CDC and US FDA issue a joint statement to pause the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine rollout

The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) and US FDA have issued a joint statement recommending a pause on the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

The recommendation comes following 6 reported cases in the US of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), a rare and severe blood-clot, observed in individuals following their vaccine. The rare blood clot was seen in combination with low levels of thrombocytopenia.

All six blood clot cases occurred in women aged 18-48 who received the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

Over six-point-eight million doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the US as of 12 April 2021.