[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Foreign substances were found in Moderna COVID-19 vaccines used in Japan, leading to the suspension of vaccinations with a large quantity of vaccines produced through the same process.
On the 26th, according to Kyodo News and NHK, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that multiple vaccination facilities in Japan reported the presence of foreign substances in unused Moderna vaccines.
The foreign substances were confirmed at eight vaccination facilities located in Tokyo, Saitama, Ibaraki, Ehime, and Gifu prefectures since the 16th of this month.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare decided to suspend the use of vaccines manufactured through the same process as those containing foreign substances.
A total of 1.63 million doses of unused vaccines delivered to approximately 863 vaccination facilities across Japan are being withheld.
According to Asahi Shimbun, the problematic vaccines were manufactured in Spain, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company is responsible for their import and sales.
The lot numbers identifying the manufacturing process of the vaccines whose use has been suspended are 3004667 (approximately 570,000 doses), 3004734 (approximately 520,000 doses), and 3004956 (approximately 540,000 doses), Asahi reported.
It has been confirmed that foreign substances were mixed in unused vaccines contained in a total of 39 vials.
The authorities requested an investigation from Takeda Pharmaceutical Company but have not yet identified what the foreign substances are.
The Ministry of Health explained that Moderna is investigating the components of the foreign substances mixed in the vaccines.
So far, no cases of health damage related to the foreign substances in the Moderna vaccines have been reported.
The Japanese government has been using Moderna vaccines at large-scale vaccination centers since May.
Recently, an additional contract was made to receive about 50 million doses (enough for 25 million people) of Moderna vaccines by the end of September, and over 10 million doses have already been administered.
Japan has approved the use of Moderna vaccines for individuals aged 12 and older.
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