CDC advisory panel, concerned about rare side effects tied to J&J vaccine, gives preferential nod to mRNA shots

Apanel that advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave a rare preferential recommendation to the Covid vaccines based on messenger RNA technology on Thursday — a decision aimed at steering people away from the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine because of concerns about a rare but serious side effect.

The recommendation passed by a unanimous vote, with all 15 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices supporting it.

The recommendation levels another blow to J&J’s vaccine, which has struggled to find a foothold in the U.S. market. The ACIP’s advice was expected to be accepted by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky later in the day.

A preferential recommendation still leaves the choice of vaccine to the individual getting vaccinated. But it will likely further depress the already limited demand for this vaccine in the U.S. market.