RALEIGH, N.C. — Doctors at Duke and UNC Health addressed concerns about the pausing of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine at the recommendation of the CDC.

What You Need To Know

  • In an effort to address vaccine hesitancy, a joint, virtual press conference was held

  • Physicians say don't cancel appointments because of the CDC recommendation

  • If you're signed up to get the J&J vaccine, you can come to a health care facility and receive your first dose of the Pfizer of Moderna

The FDA and CDC support the pausing of the one-time shot after six women in America, ages 18-48, developed a rare disorder involving blood clots.

In a joint Zoom call on Tuesday, Dr. David Wahl of UNC Health and Dr. Cameron Wolfe of Duke Health talked about what the news means for the everyday person.

As Wohl fielded questions from reporters, he said, "One thing we got to do though is make sure any decision is made with facts and not fear and no magical or mythical thinking."

He, like Wolfe, is an infectious disease expert. Each acknowledged they understand how fears can grow for some who were weary of taking a needle.

The physicians explained the reasons behind the pausing and said the recommendation made sense. Wohl said he knows people are scared but they don’t want them to delay a vaccine appointment because at both hospital systems, doses of the Moderna and Pfizer are available.

The UNC Health doctor also said he gets how one of the greatest side effects could be more hesitancy and skepticism. He said the benefit of taking vaccines is greater than the risk of going without them and dying.

"If you have a J&J appointment, come anyhow. People who are walking in today, we are explaining things to them, and we are offering them, a Pfizer or a Moderna,” Wahl said.

Both doctors said if you have an appointment to receive a J&J vaccination, do not call and cancel. Wolfe says you can get your first round of two doses of either the Moderna or Pfizer. Right now, the Duke Health doctor says patience with the patient is important.

"There’s a large percent of people who need more questions answered and it becomes incumbent upon us to put that data in front of them in a way that answers their questions," Wolfe said.​