BALTIMORE — With the Johnson and Johnson vaccine put on half for the time being — a lot of people have questions.
It’s important to note that 6 people out of 6.8 million recipients of the vaccine had a blood clotting issue after the shots.
Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott and Health Commissioner Dr. Letitia Dzirasa held a Q&A to address concerns on Wednesday.
Around 31% of the population in Baltimore has gotten at least one dose of a vaccine.
Around 5% got the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine.
The mayor said the halt on Johnson and Johnson vaccines won’t have much of an impact on Baltimore because the health department mainly gives out the other two types.
A few weeks ago Mayor Brandon Scott got the Johnson and Johnson shot from the Baltimore
“I feel healthy and strong and active. Was able to visit our Rec centers and put up some jump shots with some of our young people.”
Baltimore is the epicenter of Johnson and Johnson vaccine distribution.
The site was halted even before adverse effects were found in a small group of people from the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine.
The Baltimore City Health Commissioner says the vast majority of people haven’t experienced the negative side effects from this vaccine but still told people to be cautious.
“If you have received the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine within the past 3 weeks and you developed a severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath immediately contact your healthcare provider and let them know you received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine,” Dr. Dzirasa said.
One question a lot of people have is if I got the J and J vaccine do I have to get another one now?
“This is not thought to hinder the J and J vaccine effective,” Dr. Dzirasa said. “The vaccine is still very much thought to be effective. This was just adverse events noted in a very small group of individuals.”
882 people have died from COVID in Baltimore city including 250 this year.
The Mayor urging people to continue to get vaccinated and keep your masks on.
“Having conversations with people who say they don’t want to get the vaccine,” Scott said. “Men that I know and having real conversation with them and saying listen you take a certain little blue pill from Pfizer you can get the vaccine from Pfizer as well. We need to be honest to be honest with ourselves and get our community vaccinated so that we can finally beat this virus.”
Everyone 16 and older can get the vaccine now.
For more information on signing up click here.
