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

SACRAMENTO, Calif., – California says it is safe to continue using a batch of Moderna coronavirus vaccine after some people became ill and discontinuation of injections was recommended.

The decision frees up more than 300,000 doses for counties, cities and hospitals struggling to obtain supplies.

The Ministry of Health on Sunday urged a pause in the use of lot 41L20A of the Moderna vaccine. That came after fewer than 10 people developed possible allergic reactions after receiving shots at a vaccination site in San Diego.

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

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

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

The group said it was not clear why seven people had side effects in the same place over the course of two days, but noted that none of the reactions were life-threatening.

The report noted that large numbers of people had received the same vaccine in other locations across the country, and no similar side effects have been reported.

The findings of the working group can be found at this link.