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Apr 13

Loudoun Pauses Use of Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine

Posted on April 13, 2021 at 1:32 PM by Nancy McCormick

The Loudoun County Health Department will pause its use of the single-dose Johnson and Johnson (J&J) vaccine immediately in accordance with the Virginia Department of Health’s announcement this morning. 

As of this morning, approximately 2,840 people were scheduled to receive J&J vaccine at Loudoun County’s vaccination clinic on Saturday, April 17, 2021. The Health Department will replace the J&J vaccine with Pfizer vaccine for this Saturday’s clinic. All individuals who have appointments on April 17 are encouraged to keep their appointments and receive the first in a two-dose series of Pfizer vaccine. Everyone who is impacted by this unanticipated change will be contacted directly by the Health Department to be informed about the change in vaccine and to provide instructions for canceling or rescheduling their appointment should they choose to do so.


Loudoun County will continue its ongoing vaccination efforts using available supplies of Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

Federal Government Statements on J&J Vaccine

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended a pause in the use of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine out of an abundance of caution while an Advisory Committee of Immunization Practices, which is scheduled to convene on April 14, 2021, further investigates a possible side effect of the J&J COVID-19 vaccine.


According to the CDC, as of April 12, more than 6.8 million doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in the United States. The CDC and the FDA are reviewing data involving six reported U.S. cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in individuals after receiving the J&J vaccine. All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred 6 to 13 days after vaccination.
Already Received a J&J Vaccine?

The CDC and FDA have emphasized that the possible side effect from the J&J vaccine is extremely rare. People who have already received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider. Health care providers are asked to report adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.

Anyone who has already received the J&J vaccine does not need to receive another type of vaccine. The vaccine will provide protection against COVID-19. The CDC expects to release updated guidance on the J&J vaccine as soon as possible.

Everyone 16 Years and Older is Encouraged to Sign Up for a COVID-19 Vaccine


Loudoun County is currently in Phase 2 of the vaccination plan and all residents 16 and older are eligible to pre-register for a vaccine. They can do so in one of two ways:
  • Online: Visit vaccinate.virginia.gov to submit a pre-registration form. The fastest method for receiving a vaccination appointment is to include a unique email address in separate pre-registration forms for each individual who will receive a vaccine.
  • Phone: Individuals who do not have access to the internet can pre-register by calling 1-877-829-4682.
Stay Informed

Loudoun County encourages residents to stay informed about COVID-19.
  • Sign up for email and text updates about Loudoun’s response to COVID-19 at loudoun.gov/coronavirus. and vaccination efforts at loudoun.gov/covid19vaccine.
  • Opt in to receive text message updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic:
    • English: Text LCCOVID19 to 888777
    • Spanish: Text LCCOVIDESP to 888777
  • Follow the Loudoun County Government Facebook page and @LoudounCoGovt on Twitter.
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