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Specific lot of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine put on pause in California after allergic reactions

Moderna, Pfizer vaccines 'not silver bullet' to ending pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins scientist
Posted at 6:34 AM, Jan 18, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-18 11:37:29-05

(KGTV) -- California health officials are putting a pause on administering a specific lot of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine after reports of possible allergic reactions.

In a statement, state epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan recommended pausing lot 41L20A of the vaccine as officials investigate the reported reactions.

Pan said: "Our goal is to provide the COVID vaccine safely, swiftly and equitably. A higher-than-usual number of possible allergic reactions were reported with a specific lot of Moderna vaccine administered at one community vaccination clinic. Fewer than 10 individuals required medical attention over the span of 24 hours. Out of an extreme abundance of caution and also recognizing the extremely limited supply of vaccine, we are recommending that providers use other available vaccine inventory and pause the administration of vaccines from Moderna Lot 041L20A until the investigation by the CDC, FDA, Moderna and the state is complete. We will provide an update as we learn more."

While the state did not reveal the exact location of where the reactions were reported, six people reported allergic reactions after receiving the vaccine at the vaccine super station at Petco Park on Jan. 14. The site was briefly closed following the reports but has since reopened, as other vaccine batches were available to be administered.

Between Jan. 5-12, Department of Public Health officials said over 330,000 doses from the specific Moderna lot were distributed to 287 providers across California.

The pause on the lot is in place until an investigated conducted by the CDC, FDA, Moderna, and state health officials is complete.