A federal health advisory board has urged officials to end the pause on Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine, after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uncovered 15 cases of a rare blood clot, three of which were fatal.

In its second meeting within 10 days, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices argued that the benefits to the single-dose vaccine outweigh potential risks, and suggested that the vaccine come with a warning to those potentially receiving it.

Federal officials recommended against the administration of the vaccine “out of an abundance of caution” after six women who received the shot – among more than 8 million people who the CDC has recorded receiving that vaccine – were diagnosed with a rare blood clot condition.

Nine additional women were reported with the condition on Friday. Three women died, seven were hospitalised and five are recovering, according to the board.

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