TOKYO – Japan is planning to launch its Covid-19 vaccination campaign by late February, reported the Sputnik news agency, quoting Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga today.
The country has inked deals with Pfizer and BioNTech for 120 million vaccine doses, United Kingdom-Swedish pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca (120 million doses) and the United States’ Moderna (50 million doses).
“The government is preparing to start vaccination, if possible, by the end of February, while continuing to study the safety and effectiveness of (the vaccines),” Suga told a press conference.
The Health Ministry earlier reported that once a coronavirus vaccine gets authorisation in the country, which is likely next month, 10,000 medical workers will immediately receive shots.
In March, four million healthcare personnel are expected to get inoculated.
Starting April, people with chronic cardiovascular diseases; kidney, lung, liver and oncology patients; and, obese individuals will get vaccinated.
Last month, Parliament passed a bill to make the Covid-19 vaccine free for all residents. – Bernama, January 4, 2021
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