COVID-19 Vaccines: Blood Clot Investigation / All Adults Eligible by May / WHO Authorizes J&J Vaccine

By Kelly Young

Edited by Susan Sadoughi, MD, and André Sofair, MD, MPH

Here are some of the recent developments on COVID-19 vaccines:

Blood clot investigation: Several European countries have temporarily halted use of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine after reports of blood clots in people recently vaccinated, news outlets report. One person in Denmark died. The European Medicines Agency said that they currently do not see an elevated risk with the vaccine, but they are investigating further. They have received reports of 30 thromboembolic events out of 5 million people vaccinated. This vaccine has not yet been authorized in the U.S. The company is expected to seek authorization in March or April, according to Reuters.

All adults vaccine-eligible by May: U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday announced that states should open COVID-19 eligibility to all U.S. adults by May 1. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services has expanded the pool of professionals who can administer the COVID-19 vaccine to include dentists, EMTs, midwives, optometrists, paramedics, physician assistants, podiatrists, respiratory therapists, and veterinarians. Certain students in health care can also be trained to give vaccines, with proper supervision.

WHO authorizes J&J vaccine: The World Health Organization has authorized emergency use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.