For some Americans, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was their only option for a coronavirus vaccine, and a setback in implementing the treatment caused some to lose hope of vaccinations.
This is the case for 58-year-old Karilynn Buchan of Park Forest, Illinois.
We met her in December 2020 during the filming of the NBC 5 documents from four parts: ‘Vaccinated State’.
During the interviews for the series, Buchan explained how she is allergic to the ingredients in the vaccines of Pfizer and Moderna, which use mRNA technology and contain polyethylene glycol, known as ‘PEG’.
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine uses a more traditional approach to activate an immune response, and was the only option for Buchan who did not have a high risk of a severe allergic reaction.
Now that the FDA has recommended stopping the distribution of the vaccine for Johnson & Johnson due to blood clot ailments, which administered six individuals out of nearly 7 million doses, Buchan says she is sad.
“It’s just heartbreaking. I do not understand it, “said Buchan. “I said at the time that I trust science, which is true. I trust the mRNA science. ”
Buchan made the decision to reconsider getting the vaccine together, for fear of possible side effects.
It is important to note that scientists say that blood clotting cases are extremely rare, but this will not change from Buchan.
Buchan has a newly diagnosed heart condition that puts her at “high risk” for COVID-19.
Due to these conditions, she has been confined to her home for the past year.
The fear of being left behind comes back as she watches as others are vaccinated in her family.
Asked if she would take the vaccine if the FDA ruled J&J safe, Buchan initially said “absolutely not.”
She further said she will have to wait to see what happens in ongoing trials.