Japan : Stainless Steel particles found in Moderna vaccine
Japan’s health ministry said that contaminants found in suspended Moderna Inc. COVID-19 vaccines were particles of stainless steel, and it did not expect they would pose an additional health risk.
The substance was likely blended due to friction between two pieces of metal installed in the production line, which was caused by an inappropriate set-up, according to a probe by U.S. drugmaker Moderna and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., the vaccine’s distributor in Japan.
Japan suspended the use of 1.63 million doses of the Moderna vaccine last week after being notified of contamination that local media reported was metallic. The findings on Wednesday were the result of an investigation by domestic distributor Takeda Pharmaceutical Co, the ministry said in a statement.
The suspension of the doses came as Japan is speeding up its vaccination drive to curb surging coronavirus cases, especially among younger generations whose vaccination rates are still low. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said last month that foreign substances had been found in 39 unused vials at eight vaccination sites in five prefectures.
