DHS gives ‘clearance’ for Johnson & Johnson shots to resume 

The Department of Health Services gave vaccinators “clearance” Tuesday to start using the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine again, telling them that distribution of the single-dose vaccine will also resume.

“We have been in communication with our vaccine providers to let them know the pause on administering Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been lifted, and they are able to resume vaccinations,” DHS spokeswoman Elizabeth Goodsitt said in an email. “They are also able to request vaccination in this week’s allocation survey.”

Last Friday, the CDC and FDA said that the recommended pause on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should be lifted, after determining that its benefits outweigh the risks.

The CDC published a report Tuesday that gives vaccine providers additional information regarding the review of the vaccine by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice.

Upon the release of the report, DHS provided the clearance to vaccinators, Goodsitt said. On Monday, DHS encouraged providers and patients to review updated fact sheets on the shot.

DHS put a pause on the vaccine earlier this month, following a recommendation from federal officials as they reviewed six cases of a rare and serious blood clot among the 6.8 million who had received doses.

The CDC and FDA confirmed 15 cases of the clot among those vaccinated with the shot as of Friday, all in women between 18 and 59.