New York has immediately paused the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine after the federal government warned of possible blood clots linked to the single-dose vaccine. 

“Today the CDC and FDA issued a statement recommending a pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine out of an abundance of caution," New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said. “New York State will follow the CDC and FDA recommendation and pause the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine statewide immediately today while these health and safety agencies evaluate next steps.”

Early Tuesday morning, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration said they were investigating rare but potentially dangerous blood clots in six women that occurred a week to two weeks after they received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine dose. 

All six women were between the ages of 18 and 48. 

“As the CDC and FDA have said, any adverse events related to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine 'appear to be extremely rare' and, 'People who have received the J&J vaccine who develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider,” Dr. Zucker said.

All Johnson & Johnson appointments for Tuesday at state-run mass vaccination sites will be honored with the Pfizer vaccine, including clinics on SUNY campuses throughout the state.

"We are working with New York State to locate and receive alternative COVID-19 vaccines for our students. We urge all students with appointments for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine to contact their campus or vaccination site because alternatives have already been found in some instances," SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said in a statement.

Due to a factory mix-up, New York was poised to receive only about 34,900 J&J doses this week, which is an 88% drop compared to the previous week.