Society

Japan to begin COVID vaccinations on Wednesday

Feb 15 (NHK) - Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide says coronavirus vaccinations will begin on Wednesday, starting with medical workers.

Suga spoke at a Lower House budget committee meeting on Monday. He said the government will do its utmost to deliver safe and effective vaccines to people as quickly as possible.

The government gave the greenlight to the vaccine developed by the US pharmaceutical company Pfizer on Sunday.

Ruling Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker Murai Hideki said various vaccination sites should be made available, so that shots can be administered to people as fast as possible.

He pointed out that senior citizens should not be required to go to designated vaccination sites. He said they should be able to receive their shots at medical facilities, too.

Regulatory Reform Minister Kono Taro, who is responsible for Japan's vaccination program, said many local governments are planning to use a combination of mass vaccination sites and medical facilities for the inoculations.

Kono said Pfizer was initially against the idea of breaking up the deliveries, as the vaccines need to be kept at minus 75 degrees Celsius during transportation and storage. But he added that Pfizer has given its approval, so he wants local governments to proceed with their plans.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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