Japan likely to receive boost to COVID-19 vaccine stock in April

Feb 28, 2021 | News On Japan

Feb 28, 2021 (Japan Times) - Japan is likely to receive an increased supply of coronavirus vaccines in April when the government starts administering shots to older people, Taro Kono, minister in charge of vaccinations, said Sunday.

“I believe we can add a bit to a planned shipment for April,” Kono said on a Fuji TV program, saying the government is in negotiations on the matter with U.S.-based Pfizer Inc.

Kono also said he expects the government to have enough COVID-19 vaccine doses so older people can receive their second shots in May and June.

The government plans to start administering shots to people 65 or older, a group of about 36 million people, on April 12.

Vaccinations will start on a small scale to work out any distribution and technical issues before ramping up nationwide from April 26.

“In the last week of April, we will deliver at least one box to all prefectures,” Kono said, in reference to boxes that contain a maximum of 1,170 doses.

“Going ahead, we will ship in accordance with the volume of vaccinations,” he said.

Japan started inoculating an initial group of 40,000 health workers on Feb. 17 in the first phase of its vaccination program.

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