Campus community reacts to concerns with Johnson & Johnson vaccine: ‘Nothing is without risk’

The Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine will now be distributed with a label that warns individuals about the risk of developing blood clots, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

On April 12, the administration of the vaccine was temporarily paused. Initially, six cases of a rare and severe blood clot were reported in U.S. patients who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All six of these cases occurred in women between the ages of 18-48, and the symptoms occurred six to 13 days after receiving the vaccination. 

Since complications with the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were first reported, nine more women suffered blood clotting, raising the total number of cases to 15, according to Business Insider. 

Many members of the EU community were hopeful that the CDC and FDA investigations into the vaccine would play out successfully. In fact, Grace Woods ’21 is still willing to receive the Johnson & Johnson shot now that the federal pause on vaccinations has been lifted. 

“I think they did the right thing to pause administration before continuing, even if it was a very low number,” she said. “Pausing means research is being directed at it to make it even safer.”

Rachel Holesha ’21, who previously received the Pfizer-BioNTech shot, is comfortable with the idea of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine being administered. 

“The likelihood of my chances of getting blood clots is higher with COVID-19 than the vaccine," she said. “I would be less worried about the vaccine and more worried about getting COVID-19.” 

Holesha is concerned that the temporary pause on Johnson & Johnson vaccine distributions will adversely affect public opinion about mass vaccination efforts. “I’m glad the CDC is being precautionary, but I am afraid that this reaction will lead to more anti-vaccine rhetoric and fear,” she said. 

However, there is still much hesitation around the issue of faulty vaccine shots. Rabia Amin ’21, attributes much of this conflict to intersectional systemic racism within the medical field. “There is an issue with gender and racial inequality within the medical field,” Amin wrote, emphasizing that health complications due to the vaccine occurred within female patients. 

“I get people want answers fast and getting back to normal, but no one should risk health issues,” she stressed. “We still have different options of vaccines that are showing great results and are easily accessible in your area.”

Madiha Ahmed MA ’21, is not completely convinced that taking the vaccine is worth the risk. “While I personally would opt for a different vaccine, nothing is without risk.” 

Regardless of whether or not you choose to take the vaccine, she believes that it is important to stay safe. “I do hope that the issues with Johnson & Johnson are resolved and that people make informed decisions for their health,” said Ahmed.