TOKYO (AP) – Japan suspended use of about 1.63 million doses of Modern vaccine on Thursday after contamination was found in unused vials, worrying supply shortages as the country tries to speed up vaccinations in the middle of a wave of COVID-19.
The health ministry said contamination was reported from several vaccination sites. Some doses may have been administered, but so far no adverse health effects have been reported, officials said.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., a Japanese drug manufacturer in charge of vaccine sales and distribution in Japan, said it decided to suspend the use of doses manufactured on the same production line as a safety measure.
He asked Moderna to conduct an emergency investigation and told medical institutions and organizers to stop using the vaccine produced in Spain and shared the production numbers that could be affected.
The health ministry and Takeda did not give details on the type of contamination or whether the doses in question may have been distributed outside of Japan.
The Modern Vaccine problem occurred just as Japan was battling growing infections, with new daily cases affecting new highs in many parts of the country and severely straining the health care system.
Cabinet Secretary-General Katsunobu Kato told reporters that the government and Takeda are discussing ways to minimize the impact on Japan’s vaccination progress.
“We will do everything we can to avoid any impact on the progress of vaccination, especially in large-scale jobs and centers,” Kato said.
Japan relies entirely on foreign-developed vaccines from Moderna as well as Pfizer Inc. and AstraZeneca. Modern has been in large-scale centers and inoculations in the workplace since mid-June and has helped accelerate the launch of Japan.
Approximately 43% of the Japanese population has been completely vaccinated, with daily doses of approximately one million.