TOKYO (Reuters) – Japan’s health ministry said on Sunday it had officially approved Pfizer Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine, the country’s first such approval, as it intensifies efforts to domesticate a third wave of infections. facing the Summer Olympics Games.
The move was widely expected after a government group recommended approval on Friday, at which point Health Minister Norihisa Tamura said Japan would give its final approval as soon as possible.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has said vaccinations will start from mid-next week, starting with about 10,000 health workers. The government expects to ensure sufficient supply for the entire population (about 126 million people) by the middle of the year.
Much of Japan is still in a state of emergency after its third and deadliest virus wave late last year. Cases and fatalities have declined in recent weeks and Tokyo recorded just under 400 cases in the capital on Sunday.
To date, Japan has reported nearly 410,000 coronavirus cases nationwide and 6,772 deaths. The Olympics will begin on July 23.
Reports by Kiyoshi Takenaka and Elaine Lies; Edited by Kenneth Maxwell