California: It’s okay to use the modelna vaccine after reporting an illness

Sacramento, Calif.-California said Wednesday that it is safe to resume use of batches of Moderna coronavirus vaccine after some people have become ill and have been advised to discontinue injections.

This decision will release more than 300,000 doses to counties, cities and hospitals that are struggling to obtain supplies. On Sunday, the state’s public health service suspended the use of certain lots, probably due to a rare but severe allergic reaction, after less than 10 people fired at a San Diego vaccination site needed medical care. I asked you to stop.

However, after a safety review and consultations with Moderna and local and federal health In a statement, state epidemiologist Dr. Erica Pan said the agency “did not find any scientific basis to continue the suspension,” and that vaccination “can be resumed soon.”

“These findings should continue to give Californians the following confidence: vaccine It’s safe and effective, and the systems introduced to ensure the safety of the vaccine are rigorous and science-based, “Pan said, adding that some of her own family members received it. ..

Approximately 330,000 doses from the lot were distributed to nearly 300 providers in California this month. Most people stopped using it until they received the All Clear.

Cheryl Brennan of Fallbrook was one of those who got sick shortly after being injected at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres last week.

“In 18 minutes, my throat seemed to start closing,” she told KSWB-TV. “My blood pressure went from 125 to 185. I think this is very life-threatening.” Help came immediately.

“They connected the electrodes. They put me an ice pack. Four EMTs and two nurses helped me and they lowered my blood pressure within 45 minutes. “Brennan said.

Brennan also said she will return next month for a second dose, despite the reaction. The vaccine requires two doses for complete vaccination.

“I’m still definitely going positive,” Brennan said. “In my opinion, if I get infected with COVID, I’ll probably react much worse than having those problems … and my husband is at the root. health There are conditions, so it’s worth taking advantage of that opportunity. “

The release of Moderna’s dose is waiting for California authorities, including millions of people over the age of 65 who have recently been added to the list of qualifications behind health care workers and caregivers. It’s because we’re having a hard time addressing the challenge of immunizing everyone.

According to Pan, California has a population of 40 million, is vaccinated 400,000 to 500,000 times a good week, and takes four to five months to complete a vaccination for people aged 65 and over. There is a possibility of this. Sacramento Bee.

Despite such concerns, large counties are suffering from unprecedented demand and are opening up more mass vaccination sites. Authorities are looking forward to President Joe Biden’s promise to increase resources for vaccination.

“Under the Biden administration, our country has a chance to fight to defeat this virus,” California Senator Scott Wiener said Wednesday.

The provider places a vaccine order that is reviewed by the state and submitted to the federal government. The federal government can approve orders and submit requests to vaccine manufacturers. The county complains about delay times and unpredictability of distribution.

As of Tuesday, more than 4 million shipments were shipped and approximately 1.5 million doses were administered, according to state public health service statistics. Health officials said the delay may be due in part to some doses that have not yet actually arrived in the state.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, with Moderna’s vaccine completely clear, San Francisco will be able to use the 8,000 vaccines it has withheld and is not expected to run out on Thursday. Health officials received less than 2,000 additional doses this week to municipal hospitals and community clinics.

The city wants to be vaccinated against an estimated 900,000 people living or working in the city by June 30, but the daily vaccination rate needs to be doubled or tripled. ..

“The main obstacle we face is not enough doses,” Roland Pickens, director of San Francisco’s public health system, said in a hearing of supervisors Wednesday. “You can only get it in one direction. It’s available for free and from the federal government.”

Los Angeles County, which accounts for a quarter of the state’s population, has solved an early problem with an online and call-in system that residents over the age of 65 could use to book vaccinations, said the county’s director of public health. Barbara Ferrer said.

But the real problem was supply. More than 70% of the dose received next week has already been allocated to those taking second shots, Feller said.

Former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger put himself on the vaccination pitch and posted his Twitter video of shooting his right biceps at the drive-through site at Dodger Stadium.

“Today was a good day,” he wrote. “I’ve never been so happy to wait in line. If you qualify, join me to register and get the vaccine. Come with me if you want to live!”

Meanwhile, California reported on Wednesday the second highest number of deaths from COVID-19, but also reported that hospitalizations fell below 20,000 for the first time since December 27.

According to the State Department, the total of 694 new deaths is second only to record 708 reported on January 8.

California has surpassed 3 million COVID-19 cases this week since the pandemic began early last year. Nearly 35,000 people have died, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

Most of the state’s population was still under home orders caused by a lack of intensive care units to handle COVID-19 patients. The surge was due to people ignoring social distance and wearing masks while gathering on holidays.

Only a few weeks ago, there was concern that hospitals in the affected areas might have to start ration-based care. However, state-wide hospitalizations have declined by 8.5% in 14 days, and the number of patients in intensive care units has also declined.

The better news is that the seven-day state-wide positive rate for the virus fell below 10% for the first time in a few weeks. This statistically means that each infected individual is infected with less than one other person.

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This story has been modified to spell Ericapan’s name correctly and remove inaccurate references to the pandemic start date.

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Associated Press writer Kathleen Ronine of Sacramento, Johnny Har and Olga Rodriquez of San Francisco, and Christopher Weber of Los Angeles contributed to the story.