Johnson and Johnson vaccine statement

Chris Wyant, executive director of Made to Save, released the following statement following federal agencies’ recommendation to immediately pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

UPDATE: On April 23rd, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which includes doctors and public-health officials, advised the FDA and CDC to resume administration of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine, and the FDA and CDC moved forward with their recommendation. Learn more here.

April 13, 2021
DIRECT INQUIRIES TO: Kimberly N. Alleyne, Kimberly.alleyne@civicnation.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – “Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) issued a joint recommendation to pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. 

“We acknowledge today’s news is concerning especially for those who have registered for a vaccine appointment and have been assigned the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or who have already received it. However, we want to remind folks that these cases are extremely rare and it still remains important to get the COVID-19 vaccination. Individual vaccinations are our only path to getting back to the experiences, occasions, and people we cherish most. 

“We are mindful that the recommendation to pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is in line with the exhaustive protocols and measures that have been implemented to ensure the vaccines are safe and effective. As such, many facilities are working to exchange Johnson & Johnson vaccination appointments to Moderna and Pfizer, as supplies allow.

“We continue to encourage all states and cities to increase their efforts to provide equitable access to the COVID-19 vaccine; encourage our partners and supporters to maintain their vaccination plan;  or if already vaccinated to encourage family and friends to do so; and to look to Made to Save as a trusted disseminator of insights we are learning from dialogue with our community and Administration partners.

“Please keep in touch with us @ItsMadetoSave, where we will share updates on this evolving situation.”

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ABOUT MADE TO SAVE

Made to Save is a Civic Nation initiative, an umbrella to six initiatives seeking to drive change in America through education, conversations and action. Civic Nation brings together these changemakers to reach their common goal of creating a more equitable America.

Made to Save is national public education and grassroots mobilization effort on a mission to build trust in the COVID-19 vaccines, and increase access and promote equity for Black, Indigenous, and people of color whose health and safety have been especially impacted by the ongoing pandemic. The campaign will invest in local communities through grants to community organizations, convene local and national stakeholders, and works with a variety of corporate, non-profit, labor and healthcare partners to achieve its mission.