Commerce City, Colo. – A site where Johnson & Johnson vaccine was offered in Colorado closed Wednesday after some people experienced mild reactions.
Paul Doucett said he was eager to receive the vaccine, but that it was diverted before he had a chance.
“We got there around 2:30, early, and then we had 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 was missing.
“One was pulling in as you entered. And there was one already installed,” he said.
Organizer Centura Health said it made the call to close after seeing multiple adverse reactions.
In a statement, spokeswoman Lindsay Radford said: “We followed our protocols and, with great caution, made the decision, in collaboration with the state, to pause operations for the rest of the day.”
Centura Health said only 11 patients, or 0.62% of those who received the vaccine on Wednesday, experienced mild reactions. Most were checked at the vaccination site, but two people were taken to a hospital “as a precaution,” officials said.
“It took at least an hour and a half before they came back and said,‘ We’re not comfortable with the adverse reactions, so let’s schedule them again, ”Doucett said, disappointed but worried.
“I’m a sailor, I don’t really care about shooting, and if Dr. Fauci says you shoot, I’ll do it,” he said.
Doucett’s wife had already received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine earlier in the day elsewhere and said she “did very well.”
Doucett said he still trusts and wants the shot.
“Yes. That won’t deter me at all,” he said.
According to a Facebook post, 1,700 patients received their shots at the site on Wednesday before closing and the 640 who withdrew will be automatically rescheduled for Sunday, April 11th.