CDC vaccine panel unexpectedly delays decision on Johnson & Johnson shot

A group of vaccine experts advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deadlocked Wednesday on whether or how to limit use of Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vacccine based on sex or age.

The panel was originally scheduled to vote Wednesday afternoon on how the federal government should proceed after calling Tuesday for a pause in the use of the vaccine after receiving reports of rare blood clots in a handful of people who received the shot.

While many of the committee members — who include public health experts, scientists and doctors — said they needed more information before making a call, others expressed frustration about the damage that continued uncertainty would do to public confidence and vaccination efforts among underserved populations. 

“We’re in a position where not making a decision is tantamount to making a decision,” said Nirav Shah, who directs Maine’s public health agency and represents the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/14/cdc-delays-decision-j-j-vaccine-481563