Regarding vaccination against the new coronavirus, the "special temporary vaccination" that bears the entire cost of vaccination at public expense will end at the end of this fiscal year. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) plans to consider whether to change vaccinations from next fiscal year onwards to "regular vaccinations," which may require co-payment.
Vaccination of the new coronavirus vaccine is carried out as a "special temporary vaccination" in which the vaccination cost is borne entirely at public expense because it is "urgently necessary to prevent the spread", and even after the position under the Infectious Diseases Act is changed to Class 5, free vaccination continues.
From September 9, vaccination will begin for all those who wish to be over 20 months old, and until March 6 next year, they can receive vaccination without paying their own expenses.
On the other hand, at an expert meeting of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare held on the 3th, it was decided that the "special temporary vaccination" that is fully funded by the public will end at the end of this fiscal year.
Regarding the cost burden from next fiscal year onward, we plan to consider whether vaccination with the new coronavirus vaccine will be a "regular vaccination" that may require some co-payments in the same way as seasonal influenza.
On the 31th, we also discussed the idea of vaccinating people at high risk of severe illness, such as the elderly aged 8 and over, once a year between autumn and winter.
We will continue to consider this matter and finalize the policy by the end of this year.