Moderna withholds 1.63 million Covid-19 vaccine doses in Japan due to contamination

The lot with complaints had 565,400 doses and “out of an abundance of caution” Moderna has put on hold the lot and two adjacent ones.

“To date, no safety or efficacy issues have been identified,” Moderna said, adding that it would work with its partner Takeda Pharmaceutical (4502.T) as well as the regulators to address the issue.

Takeda said it conducted an emergency examination after particulate matter was found in a lot of vaccine vials at an inoculation site.

The health ministry said on early Thursday it decided to withdraw some doses as a precaution after consultation with Takeda but will strive to minimize the impact of the withdrawal on its inoculation plans.

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga had said on Wednesday about 60% of the public will be fully vaccinated by September end and that the country had enough vaccines to provide booster doses if such a decision is taken.

Nikkei first reported the news about the contaminated vials, citing the health ministry.