New cases remain low as vaccine hits snag

Distribution of COVID-19 vaccines slowed down last week, but the number of new cases remained low in Trempealeau County.

After two straight weeks with more than 2,000 vaccines being administered in Trempealeau County, the total dropped to 1,522 last week as distribution the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was paused.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a statement last week Tuesday saying six cases of a rare and severe type of blood clot called cerebral venous sinus thrombosis had been reported in the U.S. out of 6.8 million Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses given. As a result, the Trempealeau County Health Director Barb Barczak paused distribution of that vaccine until an investigation could be completed.

Barczak said about 50 county residents had received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine from the health department and others had received it from healthcare providers and none had shown symptoms of the blood clot. More doses of the vaccine were scheduled to be administered last week, however, those appointments were cancelled.

Symptoms of the blood clots, Barczak said, include severe headaches, abdominal pain, leg pain and shortness of breath. She said they would occur within three weeks of getting the vaccination. Anyone who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and has those symptoms is advised to call their healthcare providers.

Distribution of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines continued last week as the county entered this week with 12,945 — 43.7 percent — of residents having received at least one dose of a vaccine. Nearly 9,500 — 32 percent — of county residents have completed the vaccine series, including 87.6 percent of the residents who are at least 65 years old.

While vaccine distribution slowed, the spread of the disease remained relatively in check with 11 new cases last week. The Trempealeau-area had the most new cases with three while Arcadia, Independence, Strum and Galesville all had two.