The San Luis Obispo County Department of Public Health says concerns about many of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines could cause a temporary setback in the distribution of second-line doses.
Provincial health officials say they are following the state direction and have interrupted the administration of the vaccine in question following reports of possible allergic reactions in several people; however, the state will not replace the doses immediately, and this may delay some people from receiving their second admission.
San Luis Obispo County has reportedly received 4,400 doses of the Modern Lot 041L20A vaccine. No one was administered.
Health officials say the delay will not affect the vaccination for the first time and that receiving the second dose a few weeks later than expected will not be harmful.
Those waiting for their second dose will receive an SMS or email from the country when available.
The CDC, FDA, Moderna and the state of California are investigating after some people reported adverse effects after receiving the specific vaccine.
Last week, six health workers had allergic reactions at a vaccination superstructure set up in Petco Park in San Diego and the premises were temporarily closed.
California Public Health Department officials say from January 5 to 12, more than 330,000 doses of the specific Moderna lot were distributed to 287 providers in California.
The Department of Public Health in Santa Barbara County says it has also received a Moderna Lot 041L20A vaccine, but none of it has been administered yet.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an expert on infectious diseases at UC San Francisco, says the reports should not deter others from getting the vaccine. .
“The risk is so small of a severe allergic reaction, especially someone who has already had a history of it,” Dr. Chin-Hong said. “This is small compared to the risk of having only COVID-19.”
The CDC says common side effects of the vaccine are expected and may include injection or swelling at the injection site, fever, chills, fatigue and headache.