As the first vaccine for the new coronavirus, the vaccine developed by Pfizer, a major American pharmaceutical company, was officially approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on the 14th.
It is expected that vaccination will start in advance for medical staff on the 17th.
The vaccine developed by Pfizer was officially approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on the 14th as its efficacy and safety were confirmed.
This is the first time that a new coronavirus vaccine has been approved in Japan.
Vaccination is expected to begin on the 17th with 10,000 to 20,000 medical workers in advance, and the government plans to gradually inoculate elderly people.
Prior to this, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will hold a council of experts on the 15th to discuss whether to exclude pregnant women from the targets for which vaccination is recommended and cases of side reactions requesting reports, and inform the local governments in charge of the practice. I have decided.
On the other hand, it has been pointed out that Pfizer vaccines are difficult to handle, including distribution, as they need to be stored in an ultra-low temperature freezer.
In addition, it is an issue to improve the system, such as securing doctors and nurses for vaccination, and how to combine group vaccinations at gymnasiums and individual vaccinations at medical institutions.
The government wants to bear all the necessary costs, share information with local governments, and promote smooth vaccination.