New York halts use of Johnson & Johnson vaccines amid blood clot concerns

New York will halt the use of the Johnson & Johnson one-dose COVID-19 vaccine after federal health officials raised concerns about a possible link to blood clots, state officials said Tuesday.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo stressed that people with appointments for the J&J shot at state facilities Tuesday will be offered Pfizer jabs on the spot, while Big Apple officials said city sites would have to reschedule dates. New York City will be providing Pfizer’s two-dose immunization as well as Moderna’s as a replacement, officials said. “New York State will follow the CDC and FDA recommendation and pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine statewide immediately today while these health and safety agencies evaluate next steps,” state Health Commissioner Howard Zucker said in a statement.