Japan Grants Full Approval to Pfizer, Vaccinations Start from 17th... Some Report Difficulties Due to "Medical Staff Shortage"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Japanese government has officially approved the COVID-19 vaccine developed by the American pharmaceutical company Pfizer and will begin vaccinations starting on the 17th. This is the first time a COVID-19 vaccine has been approved domestically in Japan. The Japanese government plans to complete vaccinations by around June, but some local governments are expressing concerns about a shortage of medical personnel, indicating potential difficulties ahead.

According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun on the 15th, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare officially approved the use of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine on the 14th. Accordingly, vaccinations will begin on the 17th, starting with healthcare workers who are prioritized for early vaccination.

Kyodo News reported, "Starting from the 17th, vaccinations with the Pfizer vaccine will begin targeting 10,000 healthcare workers who have agreed to participate in safety investigations."

Regarding vaccinations for healthcare workers, the plan is to analyze effectiveness and side effects over about one month and use the data to help the public understand the vaccine.

Vaccinations for elderly people aged 65 and over (approximately 36 million) will begin after April 1.

Previously, the Japanese government signed a supply agreement with Pfizer for 72 million doses (approximately 144 million injections) of the vaccine.

According to DHL, the logistics company responsible for transporting Pfizer vaccines, "Vaccines are scheduled to be transported to Japan weekly until June."

The vaccines imported by Japan are produced by Pfizer in Belgium and transported via Brussels Airport to Narita Airport.

Although the Japanese government aims to start vaccinations on the 17th and complete them by around June, some local governments have expressed concerns that the vaccination schedule proposed by the government is unrealistic due to a shortage of medical personnel.

Toba City in Mie Prefecture stated, "There is a shortage of medical resources such as doctors and nurses in the city," and pointed out, "It is unrealistic to proceed according to the vaccination schedule proposed by the national government."

In addition, medical personnel shortages are being reported in Shiga Prefecture, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, and others.

In particular, there are concerns about securing syringes for the Pfizer vaccine. Initially, the Pfizer vaccine was based on 6 doses per vial, but due to difficulties in securing special syringes suitable for this, the policy was changed to 5 doses per vial. As a result, about 20% of the secured vaccine doses are at risk of being discarded.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.