1.6m Moderna doses withdrawn in Japan over contamination

Company confirms reports of particulate matter in vials, but finds 'no safety issues'

20210825N Moderna

The Moderna vaccine against COVID-19 was cleared in May for emergency use in Japan. © Reuters

YUMIKO URASAKI and YUKO NOMURA, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO/ NEW YORK -- About 1.6 million doses of Moderna's coronavirus vaccine have been taken out of use in Japan because of contamination reported in some vials, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare said early Thursday.

Several vaccination centers have reported that vaccine vials contained foreign matter, according to an announcement from the ministry, which added it will seek to minimize the impact of the withdrawal on the country's inoculation program.

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