Should the Johnson & Johnson vaccine be paused again? | Editorial
Here’s a thought:
Should national health officials consider pausing the use of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine following the latest warning that it is “not as safe” as the other two major brands, Pfizer and Moderna?
The CDC and the FDA are concerned with studies that indicate the vaccine might have a propensity to create rare but deadly blood clots. At this point, we can say the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has a less than stellar reputation in the market.
On Thursday, Rochelle Walensky, the CDC’s director, recommended that those seeking the “safest” COVID-19 vaccine select Pfizer or Moderna. Walensky said she endorsed the policy after the agency’s vaccine advisory panel cited concerns over the increased risk of a potentially fatal blood clot to those who received the single-shot vaccine.
Nine deaths were confirmed in connection with the blood-clot issue through September.
It’s not the first time the J&J vaccine, already is considered less effective by the CDC, has been singled out. Back in April, the CDC and FDA determined that an earlier recommendation to pause administering the Johnson & Johnson vaccine in the United States should be lifted. Seven months later, it’s an issue again, as the maker continues to defend the vaccine.
“Johnson & Johnson remains confident in the overall positive benefit-risk profile of its COVID-19 vaccine,” the company said in a statement following the CDC announcement. “Given its strong durability, the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine remains an important choice in the U.S. for people who can’t or won’t return for multiple vaccinations ...”
But at this point, the most convenient of the vaccines is doing more harm than good, at least in terms of public relations.
The question now is: Who would request the Johnson & Johnson vaccine knowing it’s been deemed by the CDC not to be as safe as Pfizer and Moderna?
If anything, the vaccine’s dangerous side effect might only fuel anti-vaccine rhetoric, the opposite of what the CDC intends, we suspect.
It might be time to hit the pause button on this vaccine, again.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat's an editorial?
Editorials are opinion pieces that reflect the views of the Miami Herald Editorial Board, a group of opinion journalists that operates separately from the Miami Herald newsroom. Miami Herald Editorial Board members are: opinion editor Amy Driscoll and editorial writers Isadora Rangel and Mary Anna Mancuso. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
What's the difference between an op-ed and a column?
How does the Miami Herald Editorial Board decide what to write about?
The Editorial Board, made up of experienced opinion journalists, primarily addresses local and state issues that affect South Florida residents. Each board member has an area of focus, such as education, COVID or local government policy. Board members meet daily and bring up an array of topics for discussion. Once a topic is fully discussed, board members will further report the issue, interviewing stakeholders and others involved and affected, so that the board can present the most informed opinion possible. We strive to provide our community with thought leadership that advocates for policies and priorities that strengthen our communities. Our editorials promote social justice, fairness in economic, educational and social opportunities and an end to systemic racism and inequality. The Editorial Board is separate from the reporters and editors of the Miami Herald newsroom.
How can I contribute to the Miami Herald Opinion section?
The Editorial Board accepts op-ed submissions of 650-700 words from community members who want to argue a specific viewpoint or idea that is relevant to our area. You can email an op-ed submission to oped@miamiherald.com. We also accept 150-word letters to the editor from readers who want to offer their points of view on current issues. For more information on how to submit a letter, go here.
This story was originally published December 17, 2021 at 3:46 PM with the headline "Should the Johnson & Johnson vaccine be paused again? | Editorial."