The FDA and CDC issued a joint statement "recommending a pause" in the use of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine after receiving six reports of unusual thrombotic events among the more than 6.8 million people who have received the J&J vaccine, according to NBC News and The New York Times. As of Tuesday evening, all states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia had halted injection of the J&J vaccine. Six women between 18 and 48 years old experienced cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and low blood platelet counts -- an occurrence that is considered extremely rare -- and the CDC is convening its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to review these cases and assess their potential significance. According to the joint statement, the pause will raise awareness among health care providers of the potential for these adverse events and better prepare them to recognize and implement the unique treatment required for this type of blood clot.

Full Story: NBC News (4/13), The New York Times (4/13), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (4/13)