April 30th, 2021 by WCBC Radio
The Maryland Department of Health is resuming allocation of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to health care providers.
This marks the first week the federal government has made this vaccine available for allocation since before the pause implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration.
MDH said it strongly supports the reintroduction of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, also known as the Janssen vaccine, based on guidance from the CDC and FDA.
"The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is one of our most important tools in the ongoing fight to prevent hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19," said Dr. Jinlene Chan, MDH deputy secretary for public health services. "By resuming allocations of this safe and effective vaccine in Maryland, we continue to bolster our ability to stay ahead of new cases and emerging variants."
For Week 21, MDH will allocate Johnson & Johnson vaccines based on requests from providers. A total of 13,600 doses will be allocated as follows:
- 6,800 to hospitals
- 2,600 to primary care practices
- 2,400 to independent pharmacies
- 1,400 to state correctional facilities
- 400 to local health departments
MDH is reminding Johnson & Johnson providers to follow the guidance outlined in its Week 21 vaccine bulletin. Additional clinical guidance on administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be found on the FDA's web site.
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