SU Suspends the Distribution of the J & J Vaccine

By Peyton Spellacy

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – After six U.S. recipients of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine developed rare blood clots, the CDC and FDA recommended a “pause” in administering the vaccine. Over 7 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in the US and thousands at SU.  Syracuse University, along with the entire state of New York, has completely recalled the vaccine. 

“We gave Syracuse University J&J last week, we had more J&J this week. We have paused on J&J, just like the rest of the country,” said Onondaga County Executive, Ryan Mcmahon, in a press release today.  “It looks like it is going to be a short pause and that even maybe by the end of the week it will be back.“

Many of the SU students preferred the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, as it took only one visit and less effort to be fully vaccinated. 

“The J&J is a nice tool because it’s a one-shot and that means you don’t need to plan second shots and you can get out there and be aggressive,”  McMahon said.

Students who were scheduled for a Johnson & Johnson shot at the Barnes Center were contacted today to reschedule an appointment. SU, moving forward, will administer another vaccine until the J&J shot is reapproved.

“If you look at Syracuse University’s schedule, they still have over four weeks left. We transferred dome Pfizer there today,” McMahon said. 

For Syracuse students still looking to receive the vaccine, they can go to the Wellness Portal through the Barnes Center under the appointment tab. More of the Pfizer vaccine has been delivered to the university and appointments are available for Friday, April 16th.