Winona County Health Offers Guidance for Residents Who Received Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Shot

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WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-All 50 states have paused the distribution of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine following reports of six recipients experiencing serious blood clots.  

Winona County Health and Human Services administered 100 doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine last week. 

 “We do ask anyone to monitor for signs and symptoms,” said Winona County Public Health Supervisor Melanie Tatge when asked what people who got the shot should do. “If you develop a headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after you received your Johnson and Johnson vaccine you should contact your healthcare provider.”    

Health officials administered 6.8 million doses of the one-shot vaccine. The CDC and FDA are investigating if the clots were related to the vaccine.  

The Minnesota Department of Health says they have not received reports of complications from the Johnson and Johnson shots as of Tuesday.  

Winona County Public Health and Winona Health are holding vaccine clinics on Thursday. Public health will administer the Moderna vaccine and Winona Health will issue the Pfizer vaccine.  

Tatge said public health is still encouraging residents to get vaccinated. “It does provide that protection from the COVID-19 virus. It lessens the severity of symptoms and we’re seeing that it lessens the severity of the COVID-19 variant strain symptoms. And it lessens your chance of death resulting from the virus,” Tatge said.   

Listen to the full interview with Winona County Public Health Melanie Tatge Supervisor below.