PA Vaccine Updates: J&J Fallout As General Public Now Eligible

PENNSYLVANIA — The week saw the future of Pennsylvania's vaccination efforts thrown into doubt as national health officials recommended a pause on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine over some extremely rare side effects.

It came just as the state seemed to be turning the tide; after starting the year at the bottom of the nation in percentage of population vaccinated, they've rapidly risen the ranks. The vaccine also became available to the general public on Tuesday.

Statewide, the fourth wave of the virus continues as more contagious variants drive the surge. Pennsylvania is among the nation's leaders in number of confirmed variants.

As of Friday, the state has given 6,885,169 individuals at least their first dose. That's more than half the state's population. Herd immunity requires somewhere from 70 t0 80 percent of a population to receive the vaccine, health officials say.

Here are the latest vaccine updates from around Pennsylvania:

Johnson & Johnson pause in place through at least next week

Following the FDA's statement Tuesday, Pennsylvania initially said it would not administer any doses of Johnson & Johnson until April 20. That date was later extended through April 24. MORE.

All Pennsylvania now eligible for the vaccine

After months of waiting lines, delays and frustrations, appointments for the COVID-19 vaccine became available to the general public in Pennsylvania on Tuesday. It moved up the timeline for that phase by six days, from April 19. MORE.

Local woman hospitalized after getting Johnson & Johnson shot

A Pennsylvania woman is among the six in 6.8 million who suffered blood clots after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. MORE.

All college students should be vaccinated before the semester ends

The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania Department of Education, in a joint statement Wednesday, said all institutions of higher education should work with local providers to ensure vaccination opportunities are available before students leave for the summer. MORE.

J&J pauses hits Southeast hard

Montgomery County had been heavily reliant upon the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine to accelerate its vaccine progress over the last two weeks. Last week, the county received a surprise double shipment of 21,000 J&J doses, allowing them to complete scheduling the 1A priority group and open up registrations to the general public. This week, they had to cancel or reschedule 4,000 appointments. Two clinics were also closed, and other clinic openings were delayed. MORE.

Clinics were also closed in Bucks County. MORE.

Philly's FEMA clinic extended

Philadelphia and federal officials had been advocating for the FEMA-run mass vaccination clinic in Center City to remain open longer . MORE.

Clinic volunteers and employees harassed as tensions boil over

Montgomery County vaccine clinics have been plagued by hostility toward staff members administering doses and organizing proceedings, officials said Wednesday. Many of the peoeple working at the clinics are volunteers, officials said. Frustrations are mounting after months of delays, insufficient shipments of doses, and the latest J&J pause. MORE.

For full information about getting a coronavirus vaccine in Pennsylvania, visit Patch's information hub.