Coronavirus Watch: J&J vaccine goes under the CDC microscope today

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Wednesday, April 14

Scientists are still in the process of evaluating a possible connection between two COVID-19 vaccines and blood clotting, a side effect that has so far appeared to be very rare.

The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is examining the Johnson & Johnson vaccine Wednesday, one day after federal health officials recommended a pause on administering the shots because of blood clots reported in six people out of more than 6.8 million doses administered.

The reported blood clotting is believed to be the same rare condition seen in Europe with a similar vaccine made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, USA TODAY's Karen Weintraub reported. That vaccine, which has not been authorized in the U.S., has been linked to more than 220 unusual clotting cases as of April 4 out of 34 million doses delivered.

Nonetheless, experts are urging Americans not to panic about the Johnson & Johnson pause while further examination of possible issues takes place.

It's Wednesday, and this is Coronavirus Watch from the USA TODAY Network. Here's more news to know today, as of 1:30 p.m. EDT.

•	The pause in Johnson & Johnson vaccinations could have a brief impact on daily vaccination numbers in the U.S. but should not have a significant impact on the national fight against the virus, the White House COVID-19 response coordinator said Wednesday.
•	What do I do if I've gotten the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 shot? We're answering your questions about the J&J vaccine pause, right here.
•	U.S. intelligence officials are warning that the fallout of the pandemic will be felt in governments around the world for years, with the potential for "humanitarian and economic crises, political unrest and geopolitical competition."
•	Rethinking vaccine rollout: Could we save lives by assigning each American a place in line for vaccines?
•	The NFL is encouraging its franchises to get all players and employees vaccinated. The league laid out guidance that requires teams to report their vaccination plans to the NFL and update the league weekly on vaccination figures.

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– Jay Cannon, USA TODAY Network and Wires Editor, @JayTCannon on Twitter.