Campus News

UK Will Temporarily Pause J&J Vaccines; Continue Administering Pfizer

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 13, 2021) — In an abundance of caution, the University of Kentucky will temporarily pause administering the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine at the Gatton Student Center site following recommendations this morning by the federal government. 

Vaccines will continue to be administered to those who are scheduled for appointments using the Pfizer two-shot vaccine until further guidance is issued by the federal government about J&J. 

The federal government made the recommendations early this morning after reports that six recipients of the J&J vaccine in  other locations in the United States – out of some 6.8 million doses delivered -- developed blood clots within about two weeks of receiving the J&J vaccine. 

The federal government paused administering the J&J vaccine at its vaccination sites and recommended that state locations do the same. 

UK is following that recommendation while further study around the vaccine is conducted. 

UK’s other vaccine sites – at Kroger Field, University Health Service, its retail pharmacy and mobile clinic sites – already utilize either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. 

As more information becomes available, UK and health officials will move quickly to communicate the latest details, acting always in the best interests of the health and safety of the community.

Go to https://www.uky.edu/coronavirus/vaccines for the latest information. You may also call 859-218-0111 (UK Health Corps) if you have questions.

 

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.