Johnson & Johnson Vaccine Pause The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) is announcing that Rhode Island is pausing administration of the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine as federal partners continue gathering more information. No Janssen appointments had been scheduled for release today. RIDOH is directing vaccinators that had made Janssen vaccination appointments to not administer those doses. Additional information will be shared shortly regarding people who had already made appointments for Janssen vaccine. No information reported to RIDOH has indicated that Janssen vaccine represents a health or safety concern. However, RIDOH is taking this step in alignment with federal partners.
Vaccine eligibility for ages 16 and older People ages 16 and older who live, work, or go to school in Rhode Island are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine. If you are eligible, you can schedule an appointment at a State-run vaccination site by visiting www.vaccinateRI.org starting April 19. People ages 16 – 17 must sign up for Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. For help, call 844-930-1779 or 211. Visit C19vaccineri.org for more information.
COVID-19 Serology (Antibody) Testing About serology testing Serology testing looks for proteins in the blood called antibodies, which are produced by the body in response to the presence of a virus. Serology testing tells us whether someone was previously exposed to a virus and helps us understand the spread of a virus in a community and the state. Supplementing what we learn from diagnostic testing with antibody testing is important to understand how COVID-19 is spreading in the state and to support people and communities that are most vulnerable to COVID-19. Serology testing does not tell us whether someone is immune to COVID-19. We are still learning whether the presence of antibodies protects someone from future infection, and if so, for how long. Therefore, it is important that people continue to take measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Anyone can get a serology test through a primary care provider (PCP). Speak with a PCP to learn more about the testing procedure and the costs associated with serology testing. Serology testing program The Rhode Island Department of Health’s (RIDOH) 2021 serology testing program has concluded. If you participated in the program and would like to access your test results, please visit portal.ri.gov/results. For any other questions, please call the COVID-19 Info Line at 401-222-8022.
