Japan Suspends 1.63M Doses of Moderna
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In light of a coronavirus surge, Japan is suspending the use of about 1.63 million doses of the Moderna vaccine after some were reported contaminated.
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Around 43% of the Japanese population have been fully vaccinated
Japan suspended about 1.63 million doses of Moderna vaccine today, Thursday, after contamination was found in unused vials, raising concern over a supply shortage as the country tries to increase vaccinations amid a new coronavirus surge.
The Health Ministry reported that the contamination came from multiple vaccination sites. Some of the doses might have been already administered, but no adverse health effects have been reported so far.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., a Japanese drugmaker in charge of sales and distribution of the vaccine in Japan, decided to take safety precautions by suspending the use of doses manufactured in the same production line.
It asked Moderna to conduct an emergency investigation and told medical institutions and organizers to stop using the vaccine produced in Spain, sharing the percentage of doses that may be affected.
Japan faces a surge of COVID-19
The Moderna vaccine problem came just as Japan struggles with surging infections, with daily new cases in many parts of the country.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told reporters that the government and Takeda are collaborating to find a solution to minimize the impact on Japan’s vaccination progress.
“We will do utmost to avoid any impact on vaccination progress, especially at worksites and large-scale centers,” Kato said.
It is worth noting that about 43% of the Japanese population have been fully vaccinated, with daily doses of about 1 million.
