Topline
After discovering foreign substances in certain portions of unused Moderna Covid-19 doses, the Japanese health ministry suspended their use on Thursday. This is another setback for American drugmaker, which has been suffering from production delays in the area, disrupting supplies.
Medical staff prepare Moderna coronavirus vaccines for use at a mass vaccination centre in Tokyo, ... [+] Japan. Getty Images
The Key Facts
Kyodo News reported that foreign substances a few millimeters large were found in at least 39 vaccine vials. The elements of these substances are unknown. Reuters reported that Moderna withheld 1.63 million doses of the vaccine because it suspected they were made in the same Spanish production line. Moderna claims that 565,400 doses of vaccine were not part of the same production lot in Spain, but it also decided to put a stop on two other lots because of its excessive caution. Takeda, a Japanese pharmaceutical giant, handles sales and distribution of vaccines in Japan. Takeda has however advised medical institutions and other entities not to use any doses that appear to be abnormal or showing signs of contamination. This includes doses that are not subject to suspension.
Big Number
863 This is the total number Japanese vaccination centers that received the doses from suspended lots. Japanese authorities reached out to the facilities in order to recall the doses. They also provided the numbers 3004734, 3004734, and 3004956 so that those who have been inoculated can verify if they have received a potentially contaminated vaccine.
Important Background
This vaccine failure comes as Japan is experiencing the worst pandemic outbreak in its history. The highly infectious delta variant is causing the country to report on average 23,000 new cases per day. Japan's recent rapid vaccine rollout has been the only bright spot in its pandemic management. Japan is now inoculating nearly 43% of its population, after a slow start. Prime Minister Yoshihide Sauga stated Wednesday that Japan is on track for inoculating around 60% of its population before September ends. The country also has enough vaccine doses to provide a booster dose in case it is required.
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Moderna holds 1.63 mln doses of COVID-19 vaccine in Japan because of contamination (Reuters).
Japan stops using 1.63 mil. Moderna vaccine doses over contamination (Kyodo News)
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