Local residents react to the recommended pause of the Johnson and Johnson Vaccine

Memorial and Singing River Health System are both continuing with community vaccination events using only the Moderna or Pfizer two-dose vaccines.

On Tuesday, the Mississippi Department of Health instructed a pause to physicians, clinics, and hospitals using the single-dose Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine due to the concerns of blood clots.

Now, Memorial Hospital is rescheduling patients who have already scheduled Johnson and Johnson vaccine appointments. Memorial Hospital Population Health Manager Rachel Walker said, “We were prepared for Johnson and Johnson. We found out yesterday that we were on pause. So, we had to contact our patients and let them know it would be Pfizer today.”

The response is not what Walker expected.

Out of the 50 vaccination appointments that were originally scheduled for the Johnson and Johnson vaccines, about half of those patients agreed to take the Pfizer vaccine. While the other half agreed to wait until Johnson and Johnson became available again. “I was shocked that patients said they were going to wait. Most people are just wanting to get any vaccine at this point. They asked us to call them again when they are going to give the Johnson and Johnson again.”

Singing River and Memorial Hospitals are still planning community vaccine events. Dr. Tana Cooper said, “The events are still on. We also have a large supply of Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.”

Ricky McCorvey, chairman of the trustee board at Solomon Temple AME Zion Church in Moss Point, still encourages the public to get vaccinated. “The vaccines have been tested by qualified medical personnel and I’m quite sure to me they have been doing a great job in keeping the public informed what’s safe and what’s not safe.”

At Solomon Temple, the second dose Pfizer vaccine drive-thru is scheduled for Thursday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. “Everyone who came out the first time, come out and get your second vaccine so you can complete the process.”