The United States has now seen six cases of “rare and severe” blood clots since approving and administering over 6.8 million doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. Consequently, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the US Food and Drug Administration are recommending that the US suspend administering the vaccine.

According to The CDC’s principal deputy director, Dr Anne Schuchat, the suspension is meant to

“Prepare the health care system to recognise and treat patients appropriately.”

Schuchat also says the sample size is too small to definitively say what the cause of the blood clots is and what specific group of individuals are being targeted. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says the reported cases are with women between the ages of 18 and 48. The FDA also reports that symptoms emerged six to 13 days after vaccination.

So far there have been only six reported cases but for the CDC that is six cases too many. Due to the severity of the symptoms, Schuchat now urges everyone who has received the vaccine within the last couple of weeks to be wary of any abnormal symptoms. These symptoms include severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath. Should you experience any of the mentioned symptoms, consult with your doctors or local clinic.