April 13, 2021
SCPH Media Contact Phone Number: (330) 812-3700
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Summit County Public Health to Suspend use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine
[Akron, OH] – In response to the statement by the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Summit County Public Health
(SCPH) is suspending the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at our mass vaccination clinics.
Individuals who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine who develop severe headache,
abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should
contact their doctor immediately. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is an adenovirus vaccine.
This type of vaccine uses a modified version of a virus to deliver instructions to cells to make
copies of the surface spike protein on SARS-CoV-2. An inactive virus, such as the one that
causes the common cold, is used as a transportation device to deliver instructions for making the
spike protein. This technology has been around since the 1970’s. The same technology is used
for the flu and RSV vaccinations.
SCPH Press Release for suspension of Johnson & Johnson vaccine