Influenza vaccination starts from day 1 Policy for priority vaccination for the elderly September 29, 17:19
Influenza vaccination will begin nationwide from October 1st in preparation for the simultaneous epidemic of the new coronavirus and influenza.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has a policy of giving priority to vaccinations from the elderly.
Prior to the influenza epidemic, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will give priority to vaccinations for elderly people aged 65 and over who are eligible for regular vaccination from October 1, and for other people until October 26. I am calling to wait for the vaccination.
Behind the call is the supply of vaccines.
According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, this season's supply will be about 63 million people, which is expected to exceed last season's usage by 12%.
On the other hand, the vaccine supplied in early October is expected to be only about half, and there is a possibility that the number of applicants for vaccination will increase this season, so the aim is to ensure that elderly people who are prone to become severely vaccinated are vaccinated. there is.
Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Tamura said at a press conference on the 29th, "Due to the nature of vaccines, we cannot suddenly double the production volume just because there is a need, and we want you to understand the situation that we cannot supply it to all the people. We are preparing to secure the amount of people who need it, such as children. "
Japan Pediatrician Association "Considering reducing the number of vaccinations for children to one"
Due to the influence of the new coronavirus, the number of people who want to get the influenza vaccine is expected to increase this season.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare says that the amount of vaccine required by children and the elderly will be secured, but the Japan Pediatric Association says that there is a risk of shortage when trying to inoculate people of all ages.
For this reason, the Japan Pediatricians Association is calling on pediatricians nationwide to consider reducing the number of vaccinations for children under the age of 13 from the principle of 2 to 1 this season.
In case of vaccine shortage, the reduced amount can be used for inoculation to other age groups such as adults, and the limited vaccine can be used efficiently in society as a whole.
According to the Pediatrician Association, regarding the number of vaccinations for children, WHO = World Health Organization, etc., for children aged 6 months to 8 years old who received vaccinations in the previous year and children over 9 years old It means that you only have to do it once.
Masato Mine, director of the Japan Pediatric Association, said, "The simultaneous epidemic with the new corona will definitely increase the number of people who want to get the influenza vaccine, and if adults are included, it is highly possible that the vaccines we have prepared will not be enough. We need to create an environment that will not cause confusion. "
Influenza vaccine will be vaccinated on October 1, and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is calling for priority vaccination of elderly people who are at high risk of becoming seriously ill, but the Japan Pediatric Association has decided that infants are also at high risk and will be vaccinated for children. It is said that we should refrain from delaying uniformly.
Over 600 cases in 3 hours from the start of reservation
Due to the effects of the new coronavirus, more and more people in pediatric clinics want to get the flu vaccine than usual.
Of these, the "Mine Pediatrics Department" in Saitama City began accepting vaccination reservations on the Internet on September 27, but the number has exceeded 600 in just three hours.
As of the 29th, there are about 800 reservations.
At this clinic, in line with the call of the Japan Pediatric Association, the policy is to reduce vaccinations for children from the conventional two to one this season.
I am going to inoculate the reduced amount of vaccine to my family living together.
On the 29th, doctors explained to parents who visited the child's examination that vaccination was necessary and that one dose was effective enough.
The 24-year-old mother who heard the explanation said, "I am vaccinated my child every year, but this time the online reservation was filled up soon. I heard the teacher's explanation and thought that it was okay even once. If I can get the vaccination, I want to get it. "
This clinic will start vaccination on October 24th, but if it is deemed necessary, vaccination will be given before that.
Dr. Masato Mine, the director of "Mine Pediatrics" and a director of the Japan Pediatrician Association, said, "We are informing families that we will inoculate the reduced amount of children's vaccinations. This means that as many people as possible will inoculate. I want the whole family to get vaccinated and prevent influenza. "