December 16, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday recommended Pfizer’s and Moderna’s vaccines over Johnson & Johnson’s shot for adults, after finding dozens of people developed a rare blood clot condition following vaccination with J&J shots. All of those patients were hospitalized, and nine died.
The CDC has confirmed 54 cases of people developing blood clots and showing low blood platelet levels — a new condition called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, or TTS, which mostly affects younger women. Of those cases, 36 required treatment in intensive care.
In a statement Thursday evening, the CDC said the U.S. has an abundant supply of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The agency emphasized that people who are unwilling or unable to receive Pfizer and Moderna shots will still have access to the J&J vaccine.