- The CDC has changed its recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines to clarify that mRNA vaccines are the preferred option over the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine. Although some members of the CDC advisory committee said the J&J vaccine should remain available for people who prefer it, the committee ultimately passed the recommendation by a unanimous vote after hearing new data indicating that a rare blood clotting syndrome is more common among people who recently received the J&J vaccine than previously thought. (Articles here, here, here, here, and here)