Alaska health officials pausing use of J&J COVID-19 vaccine

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The state health department Tuesday said upcoming appointments for the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in Alaska are being canceled or delayed after federal agencies recommended a “pause” to review reports of rare but potentially dangerous blood clots.

State health officials told reporters the

federal recommendation shows that safety checks are working and they hope this bolsters rather than hinders confidence in the vaccine rollout.

Dr. Joe McLaughlin, the state epidemiologist, said people with appointments for the other COVID-19 vaccines authorized for em...