Milwaukee Health Department answers questions from Common Council members about J&J vaccine

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) —Everyone 16 and older can now get the COVID-19 vaccine across the country. That’s been the case in Wisconsin for a few weeks. 

Milwaukee health officials are watching vaccination rates. At the same time, Common Council members have questions after the pausing of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Last week, the CDC & FDA recommended a pause on the J&J vaccine over six reported cases of a blood clot. The cases were among more than 6.8 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine that had been given out around the country.

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson says about 1,540 people received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine from the Milwaukee Health Department. 

She was asked if those who received the vaccine have been contacted. 

“It’s challenging some, where they're shelters, some of the organizations have contacted everyone and made it public as possible,” said Johnson. 

Dr. Ben Weston, with the Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management, says they also reached out to people who had received it. 

“Just notified them that there were these findings, the risk is very low, I think they still made a very good decision in getting the vaccine. If Johnson & Johnson is back and available in a week, I still think it's an outstanding vaccine.”