In the Diet, the House of Councilors began a representative question on Prime Minister Kishida's statement of belief, and there was a debate over the third vaccination of the new coronavirus.
The Constitutional Democratic Party and the Liberal Democratic Party asked questions in the representative question at the House of Councilors on the 9th.
About the third vaccination by Mr. Hiroyuki Konishi
Hiroyuki Konishi of the Constitutional Democratic Party said about the third vaccination of the new coronavirus, "According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, even if we want to advance the third vaccination to all elderly people by 6 months, the vaccine will continue. It is said that the supply is uncertain. Is it possible to advance the third vaccination by renegotiating with Pfizer? "
Prime Minister Kishida announced that he is proceeding with discussions on the supply contract for Pfizer's vaccine for next year on the assumption that he will receive 120 million doses as of August 20. The contract was signed on the 7th of March. In the future, we will proceed with negotiations on things such as advancing the supply schedule. "
About government border measures
Regarding the government's border measures, Mr. Konishi asked, "Why can't we implement border measures such as strengthening waiting facilities and conducting PCR tests in order to prevent the inflow and spread of Omicron strains that cause great damage to the people? Is this a measure based on the belief and tenacity to protect life and the economy? "
Prime Minister Kishida said, "We are making the utmost efforts to secure waiting facilities, and when conducting PCR tests at airport quarantine, it is necessary to shorten the waiting time until a large number of test results are revealed. We believe that the antigen quantitative test, which provides rapid results and has a high concordance rate with the PCR test, is the most suitable at this time. "
Liberal Democratic Party Haruko Arimura About vaccination of SDF personnel
Haruko Arimura, the former minister in charge of women's advancement of the Liberal Democratic Party, said, "Ship and submarines that continue to watch and watch while sleeping and eating have many closed spaces, so more thorough corona measures should be necessary. The urgency and necessity of maritime security officers who continue to monitor borders and self-defense officials who are at the forefront of disaster relief should be scrutinized and a priority vaccination system should be put in place. "
In response, Prime Minister Kishida said, "As for the implementation policy of inoculation, whether to set a priority target person in consideration of the risk of infection and aggravation, the supply status of vaccines, the inoculation system, and the peculiarities and characteristics of work. We will make a comprehensive decision, including how. "
Delays in domestic vaccine development
In addition, Mr. Arimura said that the development of vaccines in Japan is delayed compared to overseas countries. Isn't it a fundamental difference in perceptions from the countries that have regarded it as an industrial policy? "
In response, Minister for Economic Security Kobayashi said, "Insufficient investment and policy making in areas with poor economic rationality led to delays. The amount of vaccine needed to protect the lives of the people. Given the medical need to secure it, the realization of a domestic vaccine has an important position in terms of economic security. "