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Vaccine clinic scrapped

Reports of blood clots stop use of J & J shot; Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will still be used

A coronavirus vaccine clinic scheduled for today in Fort Dodge was abruptly canceled because of reports of blood clots that may be connected to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that was to be administered.

Kari Prescott, director of the Webster County Health Department, said the clinic was canceled after her agency received recommendations from federal and state health officials.

She said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the Iowa Department of Public Health recommended ”a pause” in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after six women developed a rare type of blood clot after getting that vaccine.

”Out of an abundance of caution and the recommendations by the CDC and FDA, we are cancelling the Johnson & Johnson clinics until further information is provided to us,” she said.

About 400 people were to be vaccinated today.

Prescott said anyone who has previously received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develops a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks of getting the shot should contact their health care provider.

The county Health Department has had several vaccine clinics using the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Prescott said it will continue to use those vaccines.

”We want residents to receive a vaccination against COVID-19,” she said. ”We will continue to assess Webster County and continue to canvas our communities to ensure that everyone that wants to be vaccinated has the opportunity to safely do so.”

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