On Aug.27, 2021, Japan suspended the use of 1.63 million doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine after a contaminant believed to be a metallic particle was found in the batch, according to a report from the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation. Japanese health ministry officials found that the particle reacted to magnets, and therefore suspected it to be a metal.
The contaminants have been found at eight vaccination sites since Aug 16, 2021. The Japanese government has told 863 vaccination sites nationwide to halt the use of vaccines from the affected lots. While contaminants were only found from vials from lot 3004667, Japan also suspended vials from 3004734 and 3004956 because they were made from the same production line as the contaminated vials.
