FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Bethesda, MD (April 13, 2021)—The following statement can be attributed to William Schaffner, MD, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID):
“Today’s decision by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to review reports of a rare blood clotting condition among some recipients of COVID-19 vaccines demonstrates the strong commitment to vaccine safety in the US. To date, approximately 7 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in the US, with six reported cases of blood clotting. The US vaccine safety system is so sensitive and comprehensive that it has detected one potential problem per million doses administered—we have found the proverbial needle in a haystack. The fact that public health officials have paused administration of the vaccine to investigate these reports should be reassuring to all of us who are committed to vaccine safety. Today’s action also illustrates some of the core principles of communicating about COVID-19: The science and knowledge around COVID-19 continues to evolve. Being open and transparent about what we know and what we do not yet know helps to manage expectations and reduce anxiety and confusion about vaccines and other COVID-19 prevention measures.”
CDC will convene an emergency meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, to further review these cases and assess potential implications on vaccine policy.
About the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
Founded in 1973, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating the public and healthcare professionals about the burden, causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases across the lifespan. Visit www.nfid.org for additional information about NFID.
COVID-19 Communications: Promoting Prevention Measures and Vaccine Confidence
NFID issued a new framework in March 2021 to help leaders across sectors—including healthcare, business, education, employer, workforce, and government—develop and implement communications that will promote vaccine acceptance and encourage the public to follow evidence-based COVID-19 prevention measures. The framework outlined in the report, COVID-19 Communications: Promoting Prevention Measures and Vaccine Confidence, offers a scalable approach with strategies and messaging for COVID-19 education and outreach efforts. Visit www.nfid.org/covid-19-communications to learn more and download the report.
Contact: Diana Olson, dolson@nfid.org, 301-656-0003 x140
Recent Press Releases
NFID-Led Joint Letter Urges Evidence-Based CDC Guidance
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and more than 50 scientific and medical organizations sent the letter criticizing the CDC webpage linking vaccines and autism
NFID Calls for Scientific Integrity and Transparency in CDC Communications
Decades of rigorous research in the US and internationally have found no credible evidence that vaccines cause autism.
Statement on September 2025 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Meeting
NFID strongly supports the use of evidence-based guidance to inform public health policy and will work to preserve equitable access, choice, and public and private insurance coverage to life-saving immunizations to protect the health of people across the US …