SLO County says pause on Moderna injections could delay vaccine distribution



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The San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department said concerns over much of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine could lead to a temporary setback in the distribution of second doses.

County health officials say they are following state instructions and have suspended administration of the vaccine in question after reports of possible allergic reactions in several people; however, the state will not immediately replace these doses and this may delay some people from receiving their second injection.

San Luis Obispo County has reportedly received 4,400 doses of Moderna Lot 041L20A vaccine. None were administered.

Health officials say the delay will not affect appointments for the first vaccination and that receiving the second dose a few weeks later than scheduled will not be detrimental.

Those waiting for their second dose will receive a text or email from the county when it becomes available.

The CDC, FDA, Moderna, and the State of California are investigating that some people have reported side effects after receiving the specific batch of vaccine.

Last week, at a super vaccine station in Petco Park in San Diego, six healthcare workers had allergic reactions and the site was temporarily closed.

California Department of Public Health officials said that from Jan. 5 to 12, more than 330,000 doses of the specific Moderna batch were distributed to 287 vendors across California.

The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department said it had also received part of the Moderna Lot 041L20A vaccine, but none has yet been administered.

UC San Francisco infectious disease expert Dr Peter Chin-Hong said reports shouldn’t deter others from getting vaccinated, and if you haven’t had reactions to vaccines in the past, you probably won’t get them with the COVID-19 vaccine.

“The risk of a serious allergic reaction is so low, especially for a person who has had one before,” said Dr Chin-Hong. “It’s tiny compared to the risk of just having COVID-19.”

The CDC says common side effects from the vaccine are expected and may include pain or swelling at the injection site, fever, chills, fatigue, and headaches.



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