Federal well being officers have now confirmed 28 cases, together with six in males, of a rare blood clotting disorder in adults who’ve acquired the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine.
Dr. Tom Shimabukuro, the deputy director of the immunization security workplace on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, offered the brand new cases on Wednesday at a gathering of a panel of advisers to the C.D.C.
The determine is a rise from the 15 confirmed cases, all of which have been in girls, that have been reported ultimately month’s assembly.
Although officers have now recognized a handful of cases in males, girls – particularly these between the ages of 30 and 49 – seem to stay at elevated threat. “The trend is that the reporting rates are higher in females compared to males in all age categories,” Dr. Shimabukuro stated on the assembly.
Patients with the rare however severe disorder develop each blood clots, usually within the mind, and low ranges of platelets, blood elements that promote clotting. The disorder is a “rare, clinically serious and potentially life-threatening condition,” Dr. Shimabukuro stated.
Last month, after studies first emerged that six girls who had acquired the vaccine had developed the disorder, federal well being officers beneficial pausing use of the vaccine whereas they investigated. They lifted the suspension 10 days later and added a warning in regards to the potential dangers to the vaccine’s label, which notes {that a} connection between the vaccine and the situation is “plausible.”
Twenty-two of the confirmed cases up to now have been in girls, and 6 have been in males. All have been in adults between the ages of 18 and 59 who acquired the vaccine earlier than the nationwide pause. (There was additionally one further case recorded in a 25-year-old man who participated within the scientific trial.)
Three individuals have died and 4 stay hospitalized, together with one who’s in intensive care. No new deaths have been documented since final month’s assembly, Dr. Shimabukuro stated.
The total threat stays exceedingly low. More than 9 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have now been administered within the United States.
There have been 12.4 cases per million doses amongst girls between the ages of 30-39 and 9.4 cases per million doses amongst girls between 40 and 49, the 2 demographic teams that seem to be at highest threat. Among older ladies and men of all ages, there have been fewer than 3 cases per million doses.
Among the 28 confirmed cases, 12 individuals who developed the disorder had weight problems, 7 had excessive blood stress, Three had diabetes, and three have been taking estrogen, although it’s not but clear whether or not any of these elements may considerably improve the danger of the disorder.
Officials will proceed to monitor for cases of the clotting disorder in individuals who have been vaccinated, Dr. Shimabukuro stated.
There have been no confirmed cases of the clotting disorder following the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, which make use of a distinct expertise, Dr. Shimabukuro stated.
