Japan has suspended the use of about 1.6 million doses of the Moderna vaccine due to contamination

Japan’s health ministry says “foreign materials” were found in some doses of a batch of roughly 560,000 vials, equating to 1.6 million doses.

Japanese distributor, Takeda Pharmaceutical, which sells and distributes the vaccine in Japan, stated Moderna had put three batches on hold “out of an abundance of caution”.

“Upon consultation with the health ministry, we have decided to suspend the use of the vaccine”

The company further went on to explain it was likely caused at a manufacturing contract site in Spain, but offered no other information.

The defence ministry confirmed doses from a suspended batch had been administered between August 6-20 at its mass vaccination centre in the western city of Osaka.

However, staff visually check vials for contaminants before injecting the formula, the ministry said, adding that its Tokyo vaccination centre was not affected.

Just over 40% of Japanese people are fully vaccinated and around 50% have received one dose.