Asian Tech Press (Sep 2) -- The foreign substances found in the batches of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, which were suspended for use in Japan after contaminants were found in the vials, was identified as stainless steel, Kyodo News reported on Wednesday.

The report said that Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) announced on Wednesday that the foreign substances in Moderna vaccines were found to be stainless steel, allegedly fragments of production equipment, after an investigation by U.S. drugmaker Moderna Inc. and Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (4502:Tokyo), the vaccine's distributor in Japan.

According to the MHLW and Takeda Pharma, the foreign matteres may have been mixed in because of problems with the metal parts installed in the production line.

The relevant parties also said that the stainless steel can be used in the artificial heart valve and other items, even if into the body, it is less likely to increase medical risks.

In addition, regarding that two men died after receiving a dose of Moderna vaccine that has been suspended, the drugmakers stated that there was no evidence of a causal relationship between the deaths and the vaccination, and that it can be currently considered "coincidental".

The MHLW said on August 26 that more than 1.63 million doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine were mixed with foreign substances, all from the same batches of products produced by a factory in Spain, and has asked to stop administering them.

The health body also said that it will provide alternative vaccines as soon as possible so that the vaccination schedule will not be seriously affected.