The state of California has given county health officials the go-ahead to continue distribution of a batch of Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations that had been potentially linked to a cluster of adverse reactions in San Diego, saying the findings of a state investigation should "give Californians confidence that the vaccines are safe and effective."
When he state asked county health officials to "pause" administering vaccines from the Moderna batch, it ground Humboldt County's distribution effort to a virtual halt as 90 percent of the county's vaccines on hand couldn't be distributed, according to Health Officer Ian Hoffman.
But state Epidemiologist Erica Pan issued a statement yesterday giving counties the all-clear to resume distributions.
"Yesterday, we convened the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup and additional allergy and immunology specialists to examine the evidence collected," Pan said. "We had further discussions with the county of San Diego Department of Public Health, the FDA, CDC and manufacturer, and found no scientific basis to continue the pause."
Read the full statement copied below:
Providers that Paused Use of Moderna Lot 41L20A COVID-19 Vaccine Can Immediately Resume Administering Doses
SACRAMENTO – California State Epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan issued the following statement today advising providers that they can immediately resume the administration of lot 41L20A of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which was temporarily paused on Sunday due to possible allergic reactions.
"Our highest priorities are to ensure that vaccines are safe and effective, and distributed equitably and efficiently," said Dr. Pan.
"Out of an abundance of caution, we recommended that providers pause the distribution of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine lot 41L20A on Sunday evening. Yesterday, we convened the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup and additional allergy and immunology specialists to examine the evidence collected. We had further discussions with the County of San Diego Department of Public Health, the FDA, CDC and manufacturer, and found no scientific basis to continue the pause. Providers that paused vaccine administration from Moderna Lot 41L20A can immediately resume.
"These findings should continue to give Californians confidence that vaccines are safe and effective, and that the systems put in place to ensure vaccine safety are rigorous and science-based. Members of my family who have qualified to receive the vaccine as health care workers or because of their age have already received the COVID-19 vaccine, and I encourage every Californian to get the vaccine when it's their turn."
View the workgroup's summary of findings.
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