Commerce City, Colo. — A site giving out Johnson & Johnson vaccines in Colorado closed Wednesday after some people experienced mild reactions.
Paul Doucett said he was looking forward to getting his vaccine but was turned away before he got a chance.
“We got there about 2:30, early, and then got about five cars away from being next in line to get the shot and they stopped it,” he said.
Doucett saw two ambulances and said something looked off.
“One was pulling in as you were coming in. And there was one already set up there,” he said.
The organizer, Centura Health, said it made the call to close after seeing multiple adverse reactions.
In a statement, spokesperson Lindsay Radford said, “We followed our protocols and, in an abundance of caution, made the decision – in partnership with the state – to pause operations for the remainder of the day.”
Centura Health said only 11 patients, or 0.62 percent of those receiving the vaccine Wednesday, experienced the mild reactions. Most were monitored at the vaccination site, but two people were transported to a hospital “out of precaution,” officials said.
“At least an hour and a half passed before they came back and said, we’re just not comfortable with adverse reactions, so we’re going to re-schedule you guys,” said Doucett, who was disappointed but concerned.
“I’m a Marine, I’m not really worried about taking a shot, and if Dr. Fauci says take the shot, I’ll take the shot,” he said.
Doucett’s wife had already received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine earlier in the day at another site, and he said she was “doing great.”
Doucett said he still trusts and wants the shot.
“I do. This is not going to deter me at all,” he said.
According to a Facebook post, 1,700 patients received their shots at the site Wednesday before it closed, and the 640 turned away will automatically be rescheduled for Sunday, April 11.
Read More News: Vaccine site closes early after some experience adverse reactions :: WRAL.com
