Japan may delay COVID-19 timetable for elderly inoculation

Japan plans to begin inoculating seniors only after coronavirus vaccines have been administered to front-line health workers, possibly delaying the initial date initially planned for seniors in April, a senior official said of the government.

The move aims to ensure a stable supply of the Pfizer Inc. vaccine, which was formally approved by the health ministry on Sunday, the official said Monday. About 3.7 million health workers will begin receiving the vaccine in March, followed by 36 million people over the age of 65 starting April 1.

But, according to another government official, it is uncertain when Japan may receive subsequent shipments and how much, after tightening controls on vaccine exports by the European Union. Pfizer is also likely to delay its plan to increase production capacity from March.

Once sufficient supply of vaccines is ensured, vaccinations could still occur simultaneously for front-line medical workers and for the elderly.

After administering a total of 3 million doses to the general public, Japan will study the possible side effects caused by various coronavirus vaccines, the health ministry said on Monday.

The ministry will invite participants to respond to their survey after inoculation for the elderly and plans to track common side effects, such as fever and fatigue, between three different vaccines, including Pfizer.

About 10,000 to 20,000 health workers will begin receiving the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday. The government will periodically collect and publish details of all side effects experienced, regardless of whether the vaccine is the cause.

It will also provide information on the safety of vaccines obtained from the survey after starting inoculations for the general public.

The survey is expected to cover around 500,000 people per single dose of each version of the vaccine. A total of 3 million doses will be needed if the government includes doses of AstraZeneca PLC and Moderna Inc. pharmaceuticals, along with Pfizer.

The health ministry also said on Monday that pregnant women are beyond the reach of a legal provision forcing citizens to make efforts to receive coronavirus vaccines.

The decision was made due to the lack of sufficient data from clinical trials on the effects of the vaccine on infants. It was approved by the ministry’s health council at a meeting the same day.

According to the vaccination law, inoculation of the coronavirus vaccine is considered an extraordinary pandemic program that does not force people to participate in it, but forces them to make efforts.

Other decisions at the meeting include that the program will be in effect for one year and that immunization coupons will be sent to all residents over the age of 16.

Expectant mothers can be vaccinated when doctors believe the benefit of inoculation outweighs the risk.

Breastfeeding mothers will be subject to the obligation to make vaccination efforts. The ministry also decided to allow coronavirus-positive people to be inoculated.

The health conditions of people who have already experienced anaphylactic reactions to vaccines or feel sick due to blood sampling for 30 minutes after the shots will be monitored. There will be a 15 minute follow up for other people.