California puts on hold a cluster of Moderna vaccines over allergy reports

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Health Authorities in California orders providers to stop administering a batch of Moderna shots following reports of allergic reactions by some health workers who received the injection.
• The state’s health department said the reactions might happen during the observation period expected of every medical procedure, adding that investigation is underway.
• Around a third of million Moderna vaccines from the same batch were given to 286 other providers in the state, but no severe reaction was reported.

Health authorities in California ordered coronavirus vaccine suppliers to discontinue using a lot of Moderna’s injection following the allergic reactions suffered by some individuals who were vaccinated altogether.

According to reports by FOX5 San Diego, less than 10 people complained of reactions after getting doses at a vaccination facility in San Diego last week.

The California Department of Public Health explained that said that those who reported may have been

“experiencing a possible severe allergic reaction during the standard observation period – a type of adverse event that the CDC reports some people have experienced when receiving a COVID-19 vaccine,” 

adding the immunization site closed for hours before using another set of vaccines by Moderna.

The outlet reported that the general COVID-19 vaccination event at Petco Park began on Jan. 11 to administer vaccines to healthcare staff as prioritized by the state.

Almost one-third out of a million shots from the Moderna lot was distributed to 286 to Golden State’s other facilities, with no reported cases of severe reactions.

Health officials, however, said that it’s always better to be cautious.

In a statement, health officials said that

“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.”

Experts noted, though, that certain degrees of risks are present at every medical system or vaccine, and the possibility of everyone getting a negative reaction is highly unlikely.

Along with the FDA, CDC and Moderna are studying the lot and hope to find out more information within the week. Federal officials have earlier observed that some vaccine trial volunteers who had cosmetic facial treatments suffered allergic reactions.

FOX5 also reported that additional vaccines would not be available immediately.

Source: New York Post