The benefits of taking the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine outweighs the risk of blood clots or contracting Covid, according to the European Medicines Agency.
The EMA said there was a “possible link” between blood clots and the vaccine. But the benefits of the vaccine outweighs the risk of hospitalization and death.
The CDC and FDA paused distribution of the J&J single dosage vaccine on April 14 after one woman died from blood clots in the brain. Six other women were diagnosed with blood clots in the brain.
All six women, ages 18 to 48, were vaccinated within two weeks of their diagnoses.
The agency also found a small link between clots and AsreaZeneca’s mRNA vaccine. The EMA recommended blood clots be listed as a “rare” side effect of AstraZeneca’s mRNA vaccines.
“The reported combination of blood clots and low blood platelets is very rare, and the overall benefits of COVID-19 Vaccine … in preventing COVID-19 outweigh the risks of side effects,” the EMA said in a statement Tuesday.
Johnson & Johnson will resume shipments of its single dose vaccine to all states in the US this week.
In February, Johnson & Johnson CEO Alex Gorksy said an annual J&J vaccine would be needed. He added that a “booster” shot will be needed within 12 months of the first injection.
On Wednesday, Moderna revealed that it is also testing a third booster shot to be available by fall, CNBC reported.
So far, at least 54% of the population received one Covid-19 injection.
