What is the Johnson &Johnson vaccine?
The Johnson & Johnson vaccine is one of the 6 COVID-19 vaccines that have been developed over the pandemic. It was developed by a Belgian company: Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and subsidized by the American company Johnson & Johnson.
How was it developed?
It contains the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 that causes the virus. This spike protein targets the virus using the S protein NAb as a natural, protective antibody. The immune system produces these antibodies to bind to the surface of antigenic determinants of viral particles and prevents them from entering the host cell.
The mysterious blood clotting
In the U.S, 6.8 million Americans received the J&J vaccine. Out of those 6.8 million, 6 women have developed a rare blood clotting condition. As a result, the J&J vaccine had been put on pause. This is to ensure that more research is conducted, to make it a safer vaccination with lower side effects. Although the risk of having this condition is 1 in a million, it’s important that further investigation occurs. All of the cases have had low numbers of platelets, meaning it’s rare that blood clots form.
40 years ago, scientists discovered a disease called heparin induced thrombocytopenia. It was a combination of low platelet numbers and unusual clots caused by taking blood-thinning medication.One of the cases of blood clotting caused by J&J was identical to the clots caused by heparin induced thrombocytopenia. The blood clotting is still a mystery, however, scientists suspect that the technologies used in developing the vaccine may have caused the clotting to occur. Another hypothesis states that the antibodies produced by the immune system, activate platelets that promote wound-healing. Instead, these platelets clump and form clots in the brain.
Symptoms of this rare blood clotting condition:
It’s very hard to be diagnosed with this condition, however, these are a few of the common symptoms.
Experiencing severe headaches even after two weeks have passed
Purplish rashes on your skin
Severe abdominal pain
Please note that having a headache, stomachache, etc. after taking the vaccine is normal. However, if these side effects last more than two weeks and you have rashes you should seek medical attention.
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