On Thu., the FDA limited the use of Johnson & Johnson's (J&J) COVID vaccine to adults who either specifically request it or are unable to receive other vaccines, citing concerns of blood clots.
The FDA cited the J&J vaccine's risk for thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), a blood-clotting disorder that can cause stroke or heart attack.
This only proves that vaccines aren't safe for everyone, and it's easy to dismiss the unlikely side effects until it's too late. Individuals should be free, and should have been free all along, to choose which risk to engage in.
It's very important to note that the potential benefits of the J&J vaccine outweigh the risks. Despite the new restrictions, J&J's jab continues to play a crucial role in the pandemic response. The FDA's decision demonstrates the thoroughness of the agency's prudent safety protocols.