Denmark to drop Johnson & Johnson vaccine – report

The decision means that the last group of Danes will likely have to wait until the autumn to be fully vaccinated

According to TV2 News, the Danish health authorities have decided not to use the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

The health minister, Magnus Heunicke, informed Parliament today that it will be taken out of the Danish vaccination program based on recommendations by the Sundhedsstyrelsen health authority. 

The decision means the last group of Danes will likely have to wait until the autumn to be fully vaccinated.

However, a reputed expert warned last month that it could postpone the program to the extent that the last group will have to wait until Christmas.

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Voluntary scheme
As was the case with the AstraZeneca jab, the vaccine will be axed due to concerns relating to serious blood clots.

Denmark has not used the J&J vaccine yet, but it does have doses in storage. In total, Denmark was scheduled to receive 8.2 million doses.

The vaccine may return to the vaccination program at some point as part of a voluntary scheme.

A voluntary scheme may also be employed with the AstraZeneca vaccine, according to Sundhedsstyrelsen.

Konservative leader Søren Pape Poulsen was among several Blue Bloc politicians last week to say that it would be incredulous to drop the J&J vaccine.