California says it is safe to resume distribution of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine

SACRAMENTO, California, California says it is safe to resume a series of Moderna coronavirus vaccines after some people became ill and a halt to injections was recommended.

The decision releases more than 300,000 doses to provinces, cities and hospitals struggling to obtain supplies.

The state Department of Public Health on Sunday encouraged a break to use part 41L20A of the Moderna vaccine. This comes after less than ten people had allergic reactions after receiving shots at a vaccination center in San Diego.

But the state epidemiologist says a security review has “found no scientific basis to continue the break” and shots could be resumed immediately.

“These findings should continue to give Californians the confidence that vaccines are safe and effective, and that the systems put in place to ensure vaccine safety are rigorous and scientifically based,” he said. Erica Pan, state epidemiologist, said.

The state, in addition to other medical specialists and San Diego County health officials, as well as the FDA, CDC and Moderna consulted with the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup before issuing its findings.

The group said it was not clear why seven people were responding in the same area for two days, but noted that none of the reactions were life-threatening.

The report noted that a large number of people had received the same vaccine at other sites nationwide, and that there were no similar side effects.

The working group’s findings can be found at this link.