California says it is safe to resume using a batch of coronavirus vaccine after some people fell ill and suspension of injections was recommended
California: OK to use the Modern vaccine after reports of diseaseBy DON THOMPSONAssociated PressThe Associated PressSACRAMENTO, Calif.
SACRAMENTO, California (AP) – California said on Wednesday that it is safe to resume using a batch of the modern coronavirus vaccine after some people fell ill and suspension of injections was recommended.
The decision releases more than 300,000 doses for counties, cities and hospitals struggling to obtain supplies. On Sunday, the state Department of Public Health called for a pause in the use of a specific lot, after less than 10 people who received vaccines at a San Diego vaccination site needed medical care, possibly due to rare allergic reactions, but serious.
But after a security review and consultation with Moderna and local and federal health agencies, the state “has found no scientific basis to continue the break” and said vaccinations can “start over immediately,” said state epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan in a statement.
“These findings should continue to give Californians confidence that vaccines are safe and effective and that the systems in place to ensure vaccine safety are rigorous and science-based,” said Pan, adding that some of his own family members received.
About 330,000 doses of the batch were distributed to about 300 providers in California this month. Most stopped using it until they received the sign of approval.
Cheryl Brennan of Fallbrook was among those who fell ill shortly after being injected last week at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres.
“At 18 minutes, it was like my throat started to close,” she told KSWB-TV. “My blood pressure went up to 185 out of 125, which I think is very dangerous.” Help came immediately.
“They connected electrodes. They put ice packs on me. I had four paramedics and two nurses helping me and they lowered my blood pressure in 45 minutes, ”said Brennan.
Brennan also said that despite the reaction, she plans to return next month for a second dose. The vaccine requires two injections for complete immunization.
“I will still go absolutely and positively,” said Brennan. “In my opinion, if I took COVID, I would probably have reactions much worse than just having these problems … And my husband has underlying health problems, so it is worth taking the risk.”
The release of Moderna doses comes at a time when California authorities are struggling to meet the challenge of vaccinating everyone who awaits them, including millions of people aged 65 and over who have recently been added to the eligibility list behind healthcare professionals. health and people in nursing homes.
California, with 40 million people, is receiving just 400,000 to 500,000 doses of the vaccine in a good week and it could take four to five months just to complete the vaccination for those 65 and older, Pan said during a committee meeting state vaccine advisory, according to Sacramento Bee.
Despite such concerns, large counties have opened up more mass vaccination sites as they struggle with unprecedented demand. Authorities are pinning their hopes on President Joe Biden’s promise to increase resources for vaccination.
“Under the Biden government, our country has a chance to fight this virus,” said California state senator Scott Wiener on Wednesday.
Suppliers place orders for vaccines that are reviewed by the state and forwarded to the federal government, which can authorize the order and forward the request to the vaccine manufacturer. Counties complained about delays and unpredictability in distribution.
More than 4 million doses were sent and about 1.5 million were administered by Tuesday, according to data from the state health department. Health officials said the delay may be due in part to some doses not yet in the state.
With the release of Moderna’s vaccine, San Francisco will be able to use 8,000 doses that it had put on hold and does not expect to run out of vaccine on Thursday, as feared earlier, reported the San Francisco Chronicle. Health officials received less than 2,000 additional doses this week for city hospitals and community clinics.
The city expects to have around 900,000 people living or working in the city to be vaccinated by June 30, although it is expected to double or triple its vaccination rate to 10,000 a day.
“The main obstacle we face is insufficient doses,” said Roland Pickens, director of the San Francisco public health system, at a hearing for supervisors on Wednesday. “You can only do it one way; you get it for free and from the federal government. “
Los Angeles County, with a quarter of the state’s population, was correcting initial problems with online and calling systems that residents over 65 can use to make vaccination reservations, said Barbara Ferrer, director of the Department of Public Health county.
But the real problem was supply. Ferrer said more than 70% of the doses received for the next week are already reserved for people who are receiving their second injection.
Former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger submitted a vaccination proposal, posting a video on Twitter of himself getting an injection with his right biceps on the drive-through website of Dodger Stadium.
“Today was a good day,” he wrote. “I was never so happy to wait in line. If you are eligible, join me and apply to receive your vaccine. Come with me if you want to live! “
Meanwhile, California reported the second highest number of COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, but also a drop in hospitalizations below 20,000 for the first time since Dec. 27.
The total of 694 new deaths is behind the record 708 reported on January 8, according to the state’s Department of Public Health.
California has surpassed 3 million COVID-19 cases this week since the pandemic began early last year. Nearly 35,000 people died, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Most of the state’s population was still under home care, due to the lack of intensive care beds to assist patients with COVID-19. The increase was attributed to people who ignored social detachment and wearing masks while meeting for the holidays.
Just a few weeks ago, it was feared that hospitals in hard-hit areas would need to start rationing care. But hospitalizations across the state fell 8.5% in 14 days, with the number of patients in intensive care also decreasing.
In other good news, statewide positivity for the virus over a seven-day period fell below 10% for the first time in weeks – meaning statistically that each infected individual was infecting less than someone else.
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This story has been corrected to accurately write Erica Pan’s name and remove an inaccurate reference to the pandemic’s start date.
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Associated Press writers Kathleen Ronayne in Sacramento, Janie Har and Olga Rodriquez in San Francisco and Christopher Weber in Los Angeles contributed to this story.