The Daily Bulletin

Yesterday we received word that out of an abundance of caution the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have recommended a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson one-dose COVID-19 vaccine because of a potential extremely rare adverse reaction. Our leading principle throughout the pandemic has been to follow the guidance of health professionals and to prioritize campus safety. New York State, the State University of New York, and Buffalo State College will follow the CDC and FDA recommendation and immediately pause the administration of J&J vaccine doses.

As a result, we are postponing all existing campus vaccine appointments while we await further guidance from the CDC, FDA, and New York State Department of Health.

As the CDC and FDA have said, any adverse events related to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine “appear to be extremely rare,” and “people who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.”

While no severe adverse reactions have been reported among students who have received the J&J vaccine at our campus clinics, we encourage anyone who has received the J&J vaccine on campus or at a community vaccine site to monitor their health for possible severe adverse reactions. If you experience any of the symptoms outlined above, please call the Weigel Wellness Center at (716) 878-6711 or your personal health-care provider, or seek emergency care if you are experiencing severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing.

Although campus clinics for the J&J vaccine are currently postponed, all adults in New York State are eligible to make appointments for the Pfizer (age 16+ are eligible) and Moderna (age 18+ are eligible) vaccines at state-run or county-run vaccination sites, or at area pharmacies such as Wegmans or Walgreens.

We will continue to provide updates and information regarding any resumption of campus vaccine clinics as they become available.