COVID vaccine appointments widely available in Minnesota even after pause on Johnson & Johnson

[WCCO-TV News, April 19, 2021] More than half of Minnesotans ages 16 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine ranking the state among the best at getting shots in arms. Still, some wonder how the supply is doing after Johnson & Johnson put a temporary pause on its shot last week due to reports of blood clots.

Dr. Frank Rhame helped lead a clinical trial of that vaccine last fall. He worries last week’s news creates hesitancy to be vaccinated for COVID-19 altogether.

“I think it’s going to slow things down,” he said.

He’s also concerned about what it means on a global scale where the Johnson & Johnson dose is easier to store and a better fit for poor countries.

“I think it’s going to do damage both with the ability to get everybody vaccinated as fast as we would otherwise be able to,” Rhame said.