California's state epidemiologist, Erica Pan, MD, told healthcare providers Jan. 20 to "immediately resume" using a batch of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines the state stopped administering earlier this week after a higher than usual number of severe allergic reactions were reported in San Diego.
Dr. Pan said the County of San Diego Department of Public Health, the FDA, the CDC and Moderna found no scientific basis to continue the pause.
"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 science-based," Dr. Pan said. She said she encourages "every Californian to get the vaccine when it's their turn."
Dr. Pan had told the state's healthcare providers Jan. 17 to stop using the batch of Moderna vaccines, which had about 330,000 doses, after fewer than 10 people appeared to experience severe allergic reactions to the vaccine in a 24 hour period at the same vaccination clinic in San Diego. No other issues with the batch were reported.
California recently expanded its COVID-19 vaccine eligibility beyond healthcare workers and nursing home residents and staff to everyone 65 and older, according to The Hill.
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