Since 1975
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • Home
  • Japan
  • Foreign substances found in Moderna vaccine not suspended

Foreign substances found in Moderna vaccine not suspended

The prefecture decided to close the center throughout Sunday. (AFP)
The prefecture decided to close the center throughout Sunday. (AFP)
Short Url:
29 Aug 2021 12:08:54 GMT9
29 Aug 2021 12:08:54 GMT9

NAHA, Okinawa: Foreign substances have been found in a batch of Moderna Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine whose use has not been suspended, according to the Okinawa prefectural government.

On Saturday afternoon, black substances were found in vaccine contained a vial and two syringes that was to be administered at a mass vaccination center in the southernmost prefecture.

Another syringe filled with vaccine was found to contain a pink substance, the prefectural government said Saturday.

The black substances, less than 1 millimeter in size, looked like fragments of hair, while the pink substance was 1 to 2 millimeters large, officials said.

The prefecture decided to close the center throughout Sunday. On Saturday, vaccine from other vials were administered to 415 people after the staff confirmed no foreign substance was contained.

On Thursday, the health ministry stopped the use of three batches of Moderna vaccine for a total of 1.63 million doses after one of the three was found to contain foreign substances at eight vaccination venues across Japan.

The substances are believed to be metal fragments. The US biotechnology company is conducting investigations.

JIJI Press

Most Popular
Recommended

return to top