Japan’s health minister Tamura has stated that the foreign substance recently found in several vials of the Moderna vaccine likely got into the liquid when the needle was inserted into the vial.
This may have been done in the wrong way, causing the vaccines to become contaminated by breaking down pieces of rubber.
The contaminated vaccines have caused unrest in Japan. In total, the country has now removed 2.6 million Moderna vaccines from its vaccination program. Also under investigation are two deaths following vaccinations with batches of Moderna that was later recalled. It is not yet clear whether the deaths have anything to do with the contaminated vaccines. Vaccinations with Moderna have been temporarily suspended in the southern prefecture of Okinawa.
The problems with the vaccines come at a time when many infections are reported in Japan. Hospitals can barely handle the large influx of corona patients. About 44 percent of the Japanese population is fully vaccinated.
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