Japan suspends 1.6 million doses of Moderna shot after contamination reports
TOKYO, Aug 26 (Reuters) – Japan has suspended the use of 1.63 million doses of Moderna Inc’s (MRNA.O) Covid-19 vaccine today, more than a week after the domestic distributor received reports of contaminants in some vitals.
Both Japan and Moderna said no safety or efficacy issues had been identified and the suspension was just a precaution. But the move prompted several Japanese companies to cancel worker vaccinations planned for today.
“Moderna confirms having been notified of cases of particulate matter being seen in drug product vials of its Covid-19 vaccine,” the U.S. vaccine maker said in a statement, adding it put the lot in question and two adjacent lots on hold.
“The company is investigating the reports and remains committed to working expeditiously with its partner, Takeda, and regulators to address this,” it added, referring to Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502.T), which distributes the vaccine in the country.
A Health Ministry official said Takeda first found out about the contaminated vials on Aug. 16 and reported the issue to the government on Wednesday. The delay was because Takeda needed time to gather information on which vials were affected and where they were in the country, the official said.
Moderna said the contamination could be due to a manufacturing issue in one of the production lines at its contract manufacturing site in Spain.
A spokesperson for the company added that the affected production batch, plus two more batches held back out of caution because they were processed before and after the affected batches, were meant for distribution only in Japan.
Spanish pharma company Rovi (ROVI.MC), which bottles or “fills and finishes” Moderna vaccines for markets other than the United States, said it is investigating possible contamination of Moderna doses and the issue appeared to be limited to a few batches bound for Japan.
Meanwhile, the country received 880,460 doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine which form the first of two shipments totalling 1.76 million doses which were donated by the United States Government via the COVAX facility and transported by UNICEF.
This is the first time that Moderna vaccines have been received in Kenya and widens the portfolio of Covid-19 vaccines available for the national vaccination rollout.
The Moderna doses are set to boost the country’s ongoing nationwide vaccination exercise, supporting the government’s quest to get at least 10 million adult population vaccinated by December 25.
