Moderna Recalls Another Lot of COVID-19 Vaccine; BPOM Responds

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) stated that the public should not worry about another recall of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine Spikevax in a number of European countries due to contamination of a foreign substance. The agency ensured that the Moderna vaccine circulating in the country is different and safe.

Moderna and Spanish pharmaceutical firm Rovi Pharma Industrial Services S.A. had recalled one lot of the vaccine numbered 000190A from distribution after the discovery of a foreign substance. The vaccine lot was known to be distributed in Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.

BPOM spokesman Noorman Effendi on Wednesday afternoon, April 27, said the agency had tested the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine produced by Rovi which had entered Indonesia.

“The result shows that there is no foreign substance found, so the Moderna vaccine meets the requirements for injection in Indonesia,” said Noorman.

In addition, based on Indonesia’s import data, there was no import of the vaccine with the recalled batch number. BPOM also pledged to keep following information regarding the withdrawal of the COVID-19 Vaccine in Europe and will update the information according to the latest data.

“BPOM always monitors the safety, efficacy, and quality of medicinal products, including the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine (Spikevax) before and after being circulated,” said Noorman.

Read: Canada Approves Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for Children

ANTARA