California’s leading epidemiologist is warning health care providers to delay the use of a batch of the Modern COVID-19 vaccine after a “greater than normal number of possible allergic reactions” has been reported at a Southern Calfornia vaccination clinic.
The affected batch includes 330,000 doses – about 1/10 of what the state has distributed so far.
The reaction was seen in less than 10 people who needed medical attention after receiving the vaccine at a clinic, state epidemiologist Dr. Erica S. Pan said in a statement late on Sunday. The conditions of the affected people were not disclosed, but health officials described the allergic reaction as “severe”.
The clinic is located in San Diego, the California Department of Public Health later reported.
“By being very cautious and also recognizing the extremely limited supply of vaccine,” reads the statement, “we are recommending that providers use another inventory of available vaccines and pause administration of vaccines from Lote Moderna 041L20A until investigation by the CDC FDA Moderna and the state are complete. “
More than 330,000 doses of the affected batch – which arrived in California between January 5 and 12 – were distributed to 287 providers across the state, officials said. No other adverse reactions have been reported for that specific batch.
“There are no immediate replacement doses during the break, other than pending orders scheduled for shipment in the next few days,” said public health officials in a statement sent to health professionals.
The health department said it would have more information later this week.
Michael Williams is a writer for the San Francisco Chronicle. Email: [email protected]