Governor Newsom swearing in Dr. Nadine Burke Harris as California’s first Surgeon General on February 11, 2019 – Photo Courtesy of CA Governor’s Office
California Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, Issues Statement on Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine
April 13, 2021
This morning, we were notified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about data involving six reported cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot in individuals after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. All six cases occurred among women between the ages of 18 and 48, and symptoms occurred six to 13 days after vaccination.
Public confidence in the safety of our vaccines is of utmost importance. That’s why, in an abundance of caution, the California Department of Public Health has asked vaccinators to pause use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to allow for a thorough and rigorous investigation of any possible concerns. Additionally, the state will convene the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup to review the information provided by the federal government on this issue.
The CDC and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are constantly monitoring for possible vaccine side effects or adverse reactions through a system called the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). This is how the system was designed to work.
While California officials are not aware of any cases occurring in our state, Californians 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 health care provider.
Nearly 7 million people have safely received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine to date. In California, less than 4% of our vaccine allocation this week is the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and we do not expect a significant impact to our vaccination allocations.
Californians who need to make a new vaccine appointment due to this development can visit MyTurn.ca.gov or call 833-422-4255.
For more information, read the full statement from the California Department of Public Health and the joint statement from the CDC and FDA.
Office of the California
Surgeon General
As California’s first Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris has established early childhood, health equity, and ACEs and toxic stress as key priorities.
Recent Resources
- Roadmap for Resilience: The California Surgeon General’s Report on Adverse Childhood Experiences, Toxic Stress, and Health – The report serves as a blueprint for how communities, states, and nations can recognize and effectively address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress as a root cause to some of the most harmful, persistent, and expensive societal and health challenges facing our world today.
- California Surgeon General, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, shared key findings from the first-ever California Surgeon General’s Report on how to advance systemic reforms that recognize and respond to the effects of ACEs and toxic stress. Watch the full webinar presentation here.
California’s Aces Aware Initiative Trains Nearly 14,000 Health Care Providers In Trauma-Informed Care
“Becoming ACEs Aware in California” trains providers to screen patients for ACEs and to recognize and respond to the symptoms of toxic stress.
California Surgeon General’s Playbook: Stress Relief Playbooks
Check out California’s one-stop shop of resources for managing stress for health, which includes information for individuals, caregivers, kids and healthcare providers.
Featured News & Updates
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ACEs Aware Trauma-Informed Network of Care Roadmap for Public Comment
On December 14, 2020, the ACEs Aware initiative released a draft Trauma-Informed Network of Care Roadmap for public comment. The roadmap aims to provide practical steps that health care providers and health and human services organizations can take within their own communities to grow cross-sector networks of care that support children, adults, and families in effectively mitigating the impact of ACEs and toxic stress on health.
ABC7 talks to California surgeon general Nadine Burke Harris about COVID-19’s impact on children
ABC7 News sat down with California Surgeon General Nadine Burke Harris to discuss the impact’s of the pandemic on families, and how we can better care for ourselves and stay safe in the coming winter.
