Statement on CDC panel vote to lift pause on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine

The Minnesota Department of Health issued this statement today following today’s vote by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to lift the temporary pause on use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

This announcement is good news for Minnesotans and underscores the importance that is placed on vaccine safety.

Americans are fortunate to have three safe and effective vaccines that are helping get us closer to the end of this pandemic. To bring that end even closer, it is very important that all eligible Minnesotans get vaccinated. All three vaccines protect you from COVID-19, but they do much more than that. They also protect your family, your friends and your community. They get us closer to the day when we are able to do all those things we’ve missed over the last year plus.

Right before the pause was announced last week, the State of Minnesota had distributed 9,600 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine to Minnesota providers. Those doses have been stored by the providers who received them and we expect them to be available in the coming days along with any updated information to provide to those getting the vaccine. While Minnesota is not scheduled to receive any Johnson & Johnson vaccine this coming week, we anticipate the federal supply picking back up in the weeks ahead and we strongly encourage everyone who is eligible to get their vaccine so we can finally end this pandemic and enjoy a summer full of brighter days for all Minnesotans.