Pfizer, AZ, Moderna... "Japanese Citizens Can Choose Their Preferred Vaccine"

Assistant to Fumiaki Kobayashi: "Vaccine Determined by Vaccination Site"
"Want to Create an Environment Where Choices Are Possible by Disclosing Information"
Vaccinations for Those Aged 65 and Over to Begin in April
Contracts Signed for Over 150 Million Doses of Pfizer, AZ, and Moderna Vaccines

On the 17th of last month (local time), when the priority COVID-19 vaccinations began in Japan, Kazuhiro Araki, director of the National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center located in Meguro-gu, Tokyo (left), was selected as the first vaccine recipient in Japan and received the injection. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] A Japanese government vaccine official has reportedly expressed the intention to allow vaccination recipients to choose the product themselves if multiple COVID-19 vaccines receive approval for use.

According to the Japanese media outlet "Yomiuri Shimbun" on the 29th, Fumiaki Kobayashi, an aide to the Cabinet Office minister in charge of COVID-19 vaccinations, appeared on a private broadcaster the day before (28th) and stated, "The vaccine to be administered will be decided by each vaccination site," adding, "At designated locations, recipients will be able to choose which vaccine to receive."

Currently, in Japan, the COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by the U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer and the German company BioNTech has been approved for use. Additionally, approval reviews are underway for the UK AstraZeneca (AZ)-Oxford University vaccine and the U.S. Moderna vaccine.

Kobayashi, the Cabinet Office aide, is interpreted to mean that if multiple vaccines receive approval in the future, vaccination recipients will be able to select the vaccine they wish to receive according to their preference.

COVID-19 vaccine developed and produced by the U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer. / Photo by Yonhap News

Kobayashi also addressed concerns about vaccine side effects, saying, "There are people who do not want to be vaccinated due to personal reasons," and emphasized, "We want to create an environment where people can choose by properly disclosing information."

Regarding the "vaccination certificate" issued to those who have completed vaccination, he responded, "We want to prepare it for cases of entry and exit (border control)."

He also mentioned that the idea of requiring vaccination certificates when entering restaurants within Japan "will need sufficient discussion."

Meanwhile, Japan began its first COVID-19 vaccinations on the 17th of last month. The first vaccine introduced in Japan is the nucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine developed by Pfizer, and Japan has contracted for 70 million doses of this vaccine.

The Japanese government is prioritizing vaccinations for essential medical personnel such as doctors and nurses working in COVID-19 prevention and medical fields. After completing vaccinations for these groups, from April to June, the government plans to focus on vaccinating 36 million elderly people aged 65 and over.

Additionally, the Japanese government has contracted to receive 60 million doses of the AZ vaccine and 25 million doses of the Moderna vaccine. These vaccines are currently undergoing approval reviews for use.

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