Regarding the fourth inoculation of the new coronavirus vaccine, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has informed the local government that preparations such as vaccination tickets will be completed by the end of May, assuming that all applicants will be eligible.
On the 24th, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced and approved a policy to start preparations for the fourth inoculation at a subcommittee made up of experts.
Pfizer and Moderna vaccines will be used, and the interval from the third inoculation will be basically 6 months, but it will be examined based on overseas trends.
In response to this, on the 25th, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare will prepare for shipping such as printing of inoculation tickets to local governments nationwide by the end of May, about two months later, assuming that all applicants will be eligible. I have notified you to finish arranging the venue.
However, at the subcommittee on the 24th, there were a number of opinions that the purpose and effects of the fourth vaccination should be carefully considered.
The notice states that "whether or not to carry out the 4th inoculation, the target person, the interval between inoculations from the 3rd inoculation, etc. will continue to be deliberated based on scientific knowledge and the implementation status in other countries." We will promptly inform you whether to ship it as soon as the policy is decided.