Today, the CDC is endorsing updated recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the prevention of COVID-19, expressing a clinical preference for individuals to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine over Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine.
ACIP’s unanimous recommendation followed a discussion of the latest evidence on vaccine effectiveness, vaccine safety and adverse events, such as blood clots.
BREAKING: US health advisers recommend Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines over J&J shot because of rare but serious blood clot side effect – AP
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 16, 2021
The CDC says U.S. supply of mRNA vaccines is abundant – with nearly 100 million doses in the field for immediate use.
This updated CDC recommendation follows similar recommendations from other countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom.
The ACIP says that receiving any vaccine is better than being unvaccinated. Individuals who are unable or unwilling to receive an mRNA vaccine will continue to have access to Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine.
The following is attributable to CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky:
“We have made important strides in the year since the COVID-19 vaccination program started. More than 200 million Americans have completed their primary vaccine series, providing protection against COVID-19, preventing millions of cases and hospitalizations, and saving over a million lives. Today’s updated recommendation emphasizes CDC’s commitment to provide real-time scientific information to the American public. I continue to encourage all Americans to get vaccinated and boosted.”
