Central Coast counties follow recommendations in pausing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine

CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION) California and counties on the Central Coast are following FDA and CDC recommendations by pausing the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19vaccine.

"We're trying to understand this more," said Santa Cruz County Deputy Health Officer and San Benito County Health Officer, Dr. David Ghilarducci. "There are data groups that are looking at at both the federal and state level. And I think we'll know more as we go forward."

Vaccination clinics were held on the Central Coast this past weekend by local organizations, and three thousand Johnson & Johnson vaccines were expected to be administered to farmworkers and residents.

When asked about their concerns on the pause, Lideres Campesinas, which helped host the clinic, said they are relying on medical experts for their opinion and wait for results to be determined.

“I would not be concerned, the vast majority of people that have gotten the dose, like I say 8 million people have gotten it,” said Dr. Ghilarducci. “And we've only seen less than, you know, ten cases. So the odds are very low. It's about the same as getting struck by lightning, to think of it in those terms."

All Central Coast counties are pausing the use of the vaccine. Monterey has about 3,000 doses while Santa Cruz has just over 2,300 and San Benito has 100. As far as those who have received the Johnson & Johnson does already, Dr. Guilarducci recommends going to the ER if you develop symptoms like severe headaches, abdominal or leg pain, or shortness of breath.

"If you happen to be that rare case, where you're feeling those symptoms, then I think it's appropriate just to get checked out and make sure you're okay," said Guilarducci. 

None of the Central Coast counties have reported these side effects in patients who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. That's out of 2,000 in San Benito County, 4,000 in Santa Cruz County, and more than 9,600 in Monterey County.

People who had an appointment to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be contacted to cancel or reschedule their appointment.