US recommends Pfizer, Moderna vaccines over Janssen due to rare clots

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended people receive mRNA Covid-19 vaccines instead of Johnson & Johnson's (marketed in Europe as Janssen) single-shot vaccine due to a rare blood clotting disorder.

The CDC on Thursday endorsed updated recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for the prevention of Covid-19, expressing a clinical preference for Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines over Johnson & Johnson's vaccine.

The CDC noted that the ACIP's recommendation followed a discussion of the latest evidence on vaccine effectiveness, vaccine safety and rare adverse events, and consideration of the US vaccine supply.

The updated CDC recommendation follows similar recommendations from other countries, including Canada and Britain.

The ACIP reaffirmed that receiving any vaccine is better than being unvaccinated.

Temporarily halted in April

Individuals who are unable or unwilling to receive an mRNA vaccine will continue to have access to Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine, the CDC said in a statement.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in mid-April temporarily halted the usage of Johnson & Johnson's single-shot Covid-19 vaccine after some recipients developed a rare blood clotting disorder following the administration of doses.

Women aged between 18 and 48 are most affected by the blood clotting issue.