California calls for suspension of distribution of specific batch of Moderna vaccine after reported allergic reactions

California health officials recommend temporarily halting distribution of a particular batch of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine over concerns of allergic reactions.

More than 330,000 doses of the particular batch were distributed to 287 healthcare providers across California earlier this month.

One community immunization clinic in particular reported up to 10 allergic reactions to the vaccine in a 24-hour period, which is considered an unusually high number. State officials say the expected reaction rate to similar vaccines is normally around 1 in 100,000.

The name and location of the clinic were not disclosed, but the facility switched to another batch of Moderna vaccines after shutting down for several hours. No other group of allergic reactions have been reported.

State officials are investigating what happened at the clinic and, in the meantime, state epidemiologist Dr Erica S. Pan recommends that the doses of Moderna lot 41L20A not be distributed at the moment.

“Out of extreme caution and also recognizing the extremely limited supply of vaccines, we recommend that suppliers use other available vaccine stocks and suspend administration of Moderna Lot 041L20A vaccines until investigated by the CDC, the FDA, Moderna and the state is full, ”Pan said on Sunday. “We will provide an update as we learn more.”