CDC committee to decide on recommendation for J&J vaccine today

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is expected to vote today on its recommendation for use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

The committee meets from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today in a meeting open to the public by weblink, with a half hour on the agenda open for public comment.

Use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is currently on pause in all 50 states based on the former recommendation of the committee. Six women developed blood clots six to 13 days after receiving the vaccine.

The CDC launched an investigation after an Oregon woman in her 50s developed a blood clot and died within two weeks of receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, according to OPD. There has yet to be a determination that the vaccine caused her death.

Today's meeting includes a risk/benefit assessment of use of the vaccine. J&J's chief medical officer and the global head of Janssen research and development will attend, according to the day's agenda.

WHY THIS MATTERS

A source has told CBS News that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration are leaning toward resuming use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine with a warning about blood clots.

However, it's use is coming at a tipping point in which vaccine supply will soon outstrip demand in the United States due to vaccine hesitancy on the part of individuals who have yet to get a shot.

THE LARGER TREND

More than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered.

These adverse events appear to be extremely rare, according to Dr. Anne Schuchat, Principal Deputy Director of the CDC, and Dr. Peter Marks, Director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. 

On April 13, the advisory committee recommended pausing the vaccine as it reviewed the data of the adverse events.

Twitter: @SusanJMorse
Email the writer: susan.morse@himssmedia.com