Moderna: metal particles in 1.6 million doses

Moderna confirms the presence of impurities in 1.6 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine shipped to Japan. For the pharmaceutical giant, the stainless-steel particles contained in the vials do not pose an undue health risk to those vaccinated.

The three contaminated batches were produced in the Spanish subcontractor Rovi's laboratories, which supply markets outside the United States. Friction between two metal parts present in the stopper installation module is the most likely cause of this incident.

In Japan, the Ministry of Health has opened an investigation to determine the cause of death of two people who received a dose from one of the three batches with metal particles in August 2021. Some prefectures in the country have also suspended the administration of the Moderna vaccine following the discovery of other contaminated batches.