Japan Reviews Free Booster Shots... 39.5% of Population Completed 2 Vaccine Doses

▲Taro Kono, Minister in charge of Administrative Reform, Japan

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] As the United States plans to promote a third dose (booster shot) for those who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, Japan is also reportedly preparing a similar response.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun on the 20th, the Japanese government is reportedly considering extending the free COVID-19 vaccination period, currently set until the end of February next year, to allow a third dose without any personal cost.

An official from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan’s central administrative agency responsible for health policy, stated, "We will first review the necessity, but waiting for a conclusion will delay the response," adding, "We will simultaneously proceed with reviewing whether to implement it, the vaccination system, and procurement negotiations" regarding the booster shot.

The Japanese government has already signed an additional vaccine contract with Moderna for next year and is reportedly moving toward a formal agreement with Pfizer soon. Accordingly, Mainichi forecasts that Japan will be able to secure the necessary supply for third doses for those who wish to receive them.

Taro Kono, Japan’s Minister in charge of Administrative Reform who oversees the vaccination project, mentioned the possibility of promoting a plan similar to the U.S., where medical personnel and others receive a booster shot eight months after completing their second dose, if necessary.

On the 19th, appearing before the House of Councillors Cabinet Committee, Minister Kono said, "For medical workers who started vaccination in February (in Japan), eight months will be October," adding, "We need to wait for the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare’s judgment, but we are preparing to respond if necessary."

According to the data site "Our World in Data," built by researchers at the University of Oxford in the UK, as of the 18th of this month, 39.5% of Japan’s total population has completed COVID-19 vaccination, and 51.1% have received at least one dose.

In South Korea, 21.1% of the total population has completed vaccination, and 47.4% have received at least one dose, according to the same site.

Worldwide, 24.0% of the global population has completed COVID-19 vaccination, and 32.0% have received at least one dose.

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