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Already Got the J& J Vaccine What You Need to Know Now

Watch for warning signs of rare blood clots but health experts call risk one in a million

David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images If you're one of the 7 million Americans who received the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine, you may be wondering how the government's new recommendation to pause its use impacts you. Here are five things you should know.

1 The cases under review are really rare

The recommendation to comes out of “an abundance of caution,” officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Tuesday. So far, six cases of a serious type of blood clot, called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, which prevents blood from draining out of the brain, have been reported in individuals who had received the shot. These six people — all women between the ages of 18 and 48 — also had low levels of blood platelets (thrombocytopenia). Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. "This is a really rare event,” Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said in a White House press briefing on the topic. Comparing the number of reported cases with the number of shots administered, it's “less than one in a million,” Fauci added. It's also important to keep in mind that health experts haven't established a definite link between the vaccine and the blood clots, said William Moss, executive director of the International Vaccine Access Center at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. “That's obviously what's being investigated,” he added, noting that if a causal relationship is identified, health officials may make adjustments to the vaccine's authorization, perhaps restricting its use for certain populations.

When to See Your Doctor

Seek medical attention if within three weeks of receiving the J&J vaccine you experience: Severe headache Abdominal pain Leg pain Shortness of breath The following symptoms are also of concern: Backache New neurologic symptoms Tiny red spots on the skin New or easy bruising Source: FDA/CDC

2 The blood clot s symptoms are different from routine side effects

— fever, fatigue, muscle aches and headaches — shortly after receiving any vaccine, including a vaccine for COVID-19. But these symptoms typically fade within 48 hours of receiving the shot. When it comes to the under review, the symptoms were more severe in nature and popped up six to 13 days after vaccination. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers >

3 Treatment for this blood clot is different from others

An anticoagulant drug, or blood thinner, called heparin is commonly used to treat blood clots. But when it comes to the clots that are under review, heparin may cause more harm than good. Administering it “would be a mistake in this situation because it could be dangerous and make the situation much worse,” Fauci noted. Instead, a CDC health alert says non-heparin anticoagulants and high-dose intravenous immune globulin (a solution made from blood plasma that contains antibodies) should be considered in treatment of patients who develop this rare blood clot after having received the J&J vaccine, although treatment should be individualized, the CDC's Principal Deputy Director Anne Schuchat said. Consulting with hematology specialists is also recommended. "So the pause not only allows us to take a look at the cases and learn more, but it is also a signal out there to help the physicians,” Fauci said. AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. and any adverse reactions to the . Health care providers should also report adverse events. "Our FDA is internationally known for their capability of making sure that we have the safest products out there,” Fauci said. “You want to make sure that safety is the important issue here.” Rachel Nania joined AARP as a health and medicine writer in 2019 after spending several years as a radio reporter and editor in Washington, D.C. She is the recipient of a 2018 Gracie Award and a 2019 regional Edward R. Murrow Award, and participated in a 2019 dementia fellowship with the National Press Foundation. More on health AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS