The Berrien County Health Department is resuming use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine after federal health officials recommended it be put back into use. The agencies previously recommended a pause while experts did a safety review due to reports of a rare blood clotting syndrome. Berrien County Health Department spokesperson Gillian Conrad tells WSJM News the risk is minor.
“The known benefits of receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and any of the COVID-19 vaccines, far outweigh any of those very minor and potential risks,” Conrad said.
The next opportunity to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be at a clinic on Tuesday, May 4 at the Berrien County Health Department office in Benton Harbor. Appointments are available now for self-scheduling at the health department’s website. Conrad says the department is also now welcoming walk-ins at its clinics while the supplies allow, although the best thing to do is to schedule an appointment. Allowing walk-ins isn’t the only thing they’re doing to make it easier.
“People can now schedule both appointments for their first dose, as well as their second dose. If you missed a second dose appointment with the health department or anywhere, you are able to schedule yourself that second dose appointment right on our website.”
Conrad says you should be sure you schedule the second dose according to the guidelines. As of April 23, only 32.5% of all Berrien County residents aged 16 years or older have completed COVID-19 vaccination. Nearly 45% have received at least one dose of vaccine. You can sign up for a vaccine dose right here.
