Obernolte and Lucas Request Information on Administration’s Decision to Halt Use of J&J Vaccine

Yesterday, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Frank Lucas and Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight Ranking Member Jay Obernolte sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control requesting information on the scientific basis for the Biden Administration’s decision to pause use of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine:

“We are concerned that the pause could ultimately do more harm than good. Fewer than one case per million reported developing the rare blood clot after receiving the J&J vaccine, which raises concern that the “pause” may be an overreaction with unintended, adverse consequences. In particular, we are concerned that this decision could further increase vaccine hesitancy and fuel conspiracy theories and disinformation about the benefits of getting vaccinated. Vaccine hesitancy is one of the biggest challenges for vaccination efforts, and progress has been made to educate Americans about the benefits of vaccines and counter such misinformation.[1] The longer it takes to resolve this situation, the greater the risk that vaccine hesitancy and disinformation about vaccines will increase as a result.”

Obernolte and Lucas are requesting a Member-level briefing on the science, data, and information used to inform this decision.

Read the full letter here.