- After days of a specific batch of Moderna vaccine being on pause, California State Epidemiologist has said the vaccine can be put back to use immediately.
- The batch was put on hold after a number of people showed allergic reactions in a matter of hours.
California health officials have given providers the all-clear to “immediately” resume administering the Moderna vaccine from a specific lot after pausing earlier this week due to possible allergic reactions, reports CNN.
Pause on Moderna vaccines
The State of California is calling on vaccination clinics to pause the use of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine.
Possible allergic reactions
The California State Epidemiologist issued a statement Sunday saying she is recommending providers pause the administration of a single lot of the Moderna vaccine due to possible allergic reactions.
According to the CDPH press release, lot 41L20A of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine has registered a “higher-than-usual number of possible allergic reactions” at one California vaccination distribution clinic. That specific lot has been turned over to the CDC, FDA, and Moderna for inspection.
Investigation into vaccine reactions
Dr. Erica S. Pan released the following statement: “Our goal is to provide the COVID vaccine safely, swiftly and equitably,” said Dr. Pan.
She said, “A higher-than-usual number of possible allergic reactions were reported with a specific lot of Moderna vaccine administered at one community vaccination clinic. Fewer than 10 individuals required medical attention over the span of 24 hours.“
“Out of an extreme abundance of caution and also recognizing the extremely limited supply of vaccine, we are recommending that providers use other available vaccine inventory and pause the administration of vaccines from Moderna Lot 041L20A until the investigation by the CDC, FDA, Moderna and the state is complete. We will provide an update as we learn more,” she further added.
Half dozen report allergic reactions
San Diego County health officials confirmed last week that a half- dozen health care workers who were inoculated at the vaccination center at Petco Park had suffered allergic reactions.
According to the state, more than 330,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine were included in the affected lot, and they were distributed to 287 locations across California. The 330,000 doses are roughly 10% of the 3.2 million doses the state has received overall from Moderna and Pfizer.
Investigation update
Vaccination back on track
The lot of doses in question was put on pause on Sunday after several people experienced allergic reactions just minutes after the dose was administered. On Wednesday the state said they found no scientific basis to put some 300,000 doses on pause — telling counties across the state to resume administering them.
The group of doctors said, “These vaccines overall look very safe, the effects are pretty good within 14 days of getting your first shot. We don’t know why there’s a lot to lot variation we do know there are some clusters.”
The state epidemiologist says after discussion with the FDA, CDC, and manufacturer, they concluded there was no scientific basis to keep the doses on pause.
No life threatening reactions
- The doctors say at least one of the seven people who reacted had painless swelling around the face, but none of the seven experienced any severe or life-threatening reactions.
- It was also noted that because of the quick detection of these minor reactions, it shows the systems put in place to monitor safety are functioning at a high level.
- They also noted that other states have used the same lot without any higher rate of side effects.
- No reason was uncovered as to why that higher rate took place here in San Diego except that some of the recipients had a history of allergic reactions to antibiotics.
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Source: CNN
