A total of 2,458 Humboldt County residents tested positive for COVID-19, after 31 new cases were reported today.
Humboldt County Public Health and local providers have resumed using Lot 041L20A of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine after the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that it is safe to administer.
CDPH has asked provinces to suspend the use of the lot when seven vaccines at one location in San Diego experienced severe allergic reactions. The agency, along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and Moderna, found that “there was no scientific basis to continue the break.”
The Humboldt County Health Officer, dr. Ian Hoffman, said he was grateful to the state for taking swift action to ensure the safety of the vaccine supply, adding that he was excited to resume the distribution of all vaccines available. “There is a system to detect problems with the vaccine, and the system has worked,” he said. “Public health has 3 170 doses on hand to administer. More than 2,500 of those have been affected by this break – 600 first doses and 1,900 second doses – and we want people to know that they are safe. The rest of the Moderna lot has been distributed to local healthcare providers, and it is clear that everyone will resume administering the doses.
“Given the severity of this pandemic, any delay in vaccination is significant, so we are pleased to be planning to vaccinate older adults again,” said Dr. Hoffman said.
On Wednesday, 285 people were vaccinated at public health vaccination clinics, with an estimated 290 additional vaccinations expected to be administered today, and about 400 appointments are planned for Friday. Local healthcare providers also continue to provide vaccinations to their patients. Appointments are by invitation only and are currently prioritized for Phase 1A health workers who have not received their first dose and residents over the age of 75.
Providers approved to administer the vaccine will contact their patients directly over the age of 75 directly as the vaccine becomes available. For those who do not have a provider or whose physician is not an approved vaccineer, the Humboldt County Joint Information Center is developing an online form of interest for individuals to submit to be notified when vaccinations for your priority group available. Additional information on the form of interest will be announced next week.
Read CDPH’s update on the Moderna lot at cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OPA/Pages/NR21-025.aspx.
For the latest COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or during business hours by contacting [email protected] or calling 707-441-5000.
Local information about the COVID-19 vaccine: humboldtgov.org/vaccineinfo
Humboldt County COVID-19 Data Dashboard: humboldtgov.org/dashboard
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Humboldt Health Warning: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert
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