Vermont Johnson & Johnson vaccine clinics to resume next week
18+ can sign up Saturday; NEK drive-through clinic opens Tuesday. Action follows CDC findings that risk of developing blood clots is very rare
Vermont Business Magazine The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended Friday afternoon to resume use of the “paused” Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Vermont officials expect to provide additional information on what the outcome will mean in Vermont as early as Saturday morning. The VDH also reported that there were 89 new cases of COVID-19 and once again no new deaths, which remain at 243.
COVID-19 Daily Update
April 23, 2021
New or updated information is in red and bold
This update is available online at healthvermont.gov/covid19
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Vermont officials await federal guidance on use of J&J vaccine
At Friday’s press conference, Vermont officials noted the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is meeting today to review data related to the “paused” Johnson & Johnson vaccine, and hope to provide additional information on what the outcome will mean in Vermont as early as Saturday morning.
WPTZ reports that the panel is recommending that use of the J&J/Janssen vaccine resume. A total of 15 cases of unusual clots in over 6 million doses were revealed. All the cases were in women under 50. Three of them have died.
“We will be preparing guidance for Vermonters and for Vermont clinicians this evening,” said Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD. “If there are no major stipulations on who should be offered the vaccine, we will then develop even more opportunities for how to access this vaccine.”
Human Services Deputy Secretary Jenney Samuelson added: “During this pause we have been watching closely and planning. Depending on the outcome of the advisory committee, we could begin vaccinating as early as Tuesday in the Northeast Kingdom.”
You can stay up to date on new information when it’s available on our website and social media accounts @healthvermont.
Tomorrow (April 24) is Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Dr. Levine also recognized Friday the unique challenges COVID-19 has created for people with substance use disorder, including isolation and mental and emotional pressures that contribute to this disease.
Vermonters can help do their part to prevent prescription misuse on Take Back Day tomorrow (April 24).
“More than half of the people who misuse prescription medication get it from a friend or relative, often straight out of the medicine cabinet,” Dr. Levine said. “If you no longer need your medication, please do your part and dispose of it safely.”
Please visit healthvermont.gov/DoYourPart for more information about Take Back disposal sites near you, as well to request a free medication mail-back envelope.
And as always, help is available when and where you need it, he said. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use, visit VTHelplink.org for support and referral services.
Part-time Vermont residents, including out-of-state college students, can make vaccination appointments starting April 29
On April 29, vaccine registration will open to college students who are residents of another state and do not intend to stay in Vermont for the summer, as well as to people who live part of the year in Vermont. This opportunity will be based on the vaccine supply we receive from the federal government.
Visit healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine to create an account and to get all the information you need to register starting April 29!
COVID-19 vaccine clinic available for members of the Abenaki community
Members of the Abenaki community are welcome to sign up for a clinic this Sunday, April 25, at the Abenaki Tribal Office in Swanton from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
You can call 855-722-7878 and ask for the vaccine clinic at the Abenaki Tribal Office in Swanton. If you are unable to make it this Sunday, you can access any clinic run by the state or a BIPOC clinic in Burlington led by the Racial Justice Alliance, Vermont Professionals of Color, and other partners in Burlington.
Visit www.healthvermont.gov/myvaccine for more details on how to make an appointment.
New on healthvermont.gov
Spotlight!
COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 12 p.m. on April 23, 2021
Data is updated daily.
| Description | Number | ||
| New cases |
89 (22,416 total) |
||
| Currently hospitalized | 26 | ||
| Hospitalized in ICU | 5 | ||
| Hospitalized under investigation | 2 | ||
| Percent Positive (7-day average) | 1.3% | ||
| People tested | 375,400 | ||
| Total tests | 1,524,948 | ||
| Total people recovered | 19,062 | ||
| Deaths | 243 |
Find more data on COVID-19 Activity at: healthvermont.gov/currentactivity.
COVID-19 Vaccine Data
As of 12 p.m. on April 23, 2021
Data is updated Tuesdays through Saturdays.
| Description | Number | ||
| Total people who have received least one dose of vaccine | 305,123 (55.8% of population) |
||
| Total people who have completed vaccination | 210,256 (38.5% of population) |
Find more vaccine data on the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard: healthvermont.gov/covid19-vaccine-data.
Additional Resources About Vaccination and More
- Find answers to your questions about the COVID-19 vaccine from the CDC: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/faq.html.
- Get Vermont-specific information in our Frequently Asked Questions.
- Sign up for the COVID-19 Weekly Email Update.
- Find information sheets, posters and toolkits, as well as translated materials on our Resources web page.