What we’re reading: FDA recommends pausing Johnson & Johnson vaccine, Minnesota police officer resigns

By Mia Yarto

Published Apr 13, 2021

FILE – In this Thursday, April 8, 2021 file photo, the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine sits on a table at a pop up vaccinations site the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, in the Staten Island borough of New York. The U.S. is recommending a “pause” in administration of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to investigate reports of potentially dangerous blood clots. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)

CDC and FDA recommend pause on use of Johnson & Johnson vaccine

After six reported U.S. cases of a “rare and severe” type of blood clot, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended that the U.S. stop the use of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, according to CNN.

The cases occurred among women between 18 and 48 years old, and symptoms occurred six to 13 days after their vaccinations.

According to a joint statement released Tuesday from Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal director of the CDC and Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, the “CDC will convene a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Wednesday to further review these cases and assess their potential significance.”

Johnson & Johnson released a statement stating that those who have received the vaccine and have developed severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.

More than 6.8 million doses of the vaccine have been administered in the United States, making this event “extremely rare,” according to the statement.

Officer and police chief resign after death of Daunte Wright

The death of Daunte Wright in Brooklyn Center, Minn. has sparked protests. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii via Star Tribune/ AP)

According to CNN, the police officer who shot and killed Daunte Wright on Sunday night submitted a letter of resignation alongside the police chief who said the shooting was “accidental.”

Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliot said he has not yet accepted the police chief’s resignation.

“We’re doing our internal process to make sure that we are being accountable to the steps that we need to take,” Elliot told reporters.

Hundreds have protested in Brooklyn Center, Minn. since the shooting.

Defense expert witness says that Chauvin’s actions were “justified”

In this image from a video, Barry Brodd, a use of force expert testifies in the trial of former Minn. police Officer Derek Chauvin. (Court TV via AP, Pool)

Tuesday marked the 12th day of Derek Chauvin’s trial for George Floyd’s death.

According to CNN, defense expert witness Barry Brodd said that Derek Chauvin’s kneeling on George Floyd could not be considered a deadly force, but a use of force.

“I felt that Derek Chauvin was justified with acting with objective, reasonableness following Minneapolis Police Department policy…,” Brodd testified.