Washington follows feds in halting use of J&J vaccine

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Washington state is immediately halting the use of the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine against the coronavirus. The move follows guidance of the federal government regarding the appearance of rare side effects in about a handful of women across the country. The state Department of Health said Tuesday the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been little used in Washington. State officials say none who suffered side effects appeared to be from Washington. About 149,000 doses of the J&J vaccine have been administered in Washington out of more than 4 million doses. Moderna and Pfizer vaccinations will continue.