Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and Onondaga County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Indu Gupta today announced a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine immediately at all Onondaga County clinics following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). Until further notice, any planned appointments for Johnson & Johnson will instead be offered Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or canceled if no other vaccine is available.

The CDC and FDA issued a statement today recommending a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine out of an abundance of caution and have said that any adverse events related to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine ‘appear to be extremely rare’.

Dr. Gupta urges that anyone who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and develops a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.

Onondaga County is in constant contact with NYSDOH and will update residents as more information becomes available.