Three lots of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine have been suspended in Japan following reports from vaccination sites of a potential foreign particulate substance observed in unused vials.
Moderna and its vaccine distributor, Takeda Pharmaceutical, have announced the suspension of the use of three lots of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in Japan following reports from vaccination sites of a potential foreign particulate substance found in vials. There have been two deaths (at the time of the statement) of recipients, however, no causal link has been established.
The vaccine manufacturer, ROVI Pharma Industrial Services in Spain, have worked with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) to conduct a thorough investigation, which includes:
- Identification of the root cause of the particles and the corrective and preventive actions being taken
- An assessment of the nature of a particle from one vial from Lot 3004667
- An associated medical safety assessment, to determine if the identified particle poses a health or safety risk
Root cause investigation, and corrective and preventive actions
According to the root cause analysis report, conducted by ROVI, the most probable cause of the particulates identified in lot 3004667 is related to friction between two pieces of metal installed in the stoppering module of the production line due to an incorrect set-up.
The two pieces are the star-wheel and the stoppers feeding device piece which feeds stoppers into the star-wheel.
The most probable cause is friction between two pieces of metal in the stoppering module due to an incorrect set-up
It is believed that this condition occurred during the assembling of the line prior to production of batch 3004667 and was a result of improper alignment during a line changeover before starting this batch.
Based on the analysis conducted by ROVI, the manufacturing issue only impacted the lots that were included in the suspension.
The following steps have been taken by ROVI to correct and prevent future defects:
- Full inspection of the manufacturing line
- Improving standard operating procedure for changeover of manufacturing line
- Setting alert inspection limits in the automatic visual inspection, as an internal process control
Takeda, as the Japan Marketing Authorization Holder, is planning to initiate the recall of the three suspended lots 3004667, 3004734, and 3004956 from the market as of September 2, 2021, in consultation with the MHLW. Moderna as the Global Marketing Authorization Holder is in full agreement with this decision.
Preliminary particulate analysis
According to Moderna's independent analysis, the particle from lot 3004667 has been thoroughly analysed and is confirmed to be grade 316 stainless steel. This is consistent with the root cause determination described above. Grade 316 is a high grade of stainless steel commonly used in manufacturing and in food processing.
Current medical safety assessment
After a health assessment conducted by Moderna and Takeda, the rare presence of stainless steel particles in the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine does not pose an undue risk to patient safety and it does not adversely affect the benefit/risk profile of the product.
Metallic particles of this size injected into a muscle may result in a local reaction, but are unlikely to result in other adverse reactions beyond the local site of the injection.
Stainless steel is routinely used in heart valves, joint replacements and metal sutures and staples. As such, it is not expected that injection of the particles identified in these lots in Japan would result in increased medical risk.
Investigation of two deaths
At this time, there is no evidence that the two tragic deaths following administration of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine (from lot 3004734) were in any way related to administration of the vaccine. The relationship is currently considered to be coincidental.
It is important to conclude a formal investigation to confirm this. The investigation is being conducted with the greatest sense of urgency, transparency and integrity and is of the highest priority.