Japan’s first Covid-19 jabs will go to 40,000 health workers

Tokyo, Feb 16 (efe-epa).- Japan will begin Wednesday to administer the Covid-19 vaccine to an initial group of 40,000 high-risk health workers, Taro Kono, the minister in charge of vaccination management in the country, said Tuesday.

In an information session held on the eve of the start of the vaccination campaign in Japan, Kono said 20,000 doctors and nurses from 100 hospitals in the archipelago, half of whom will be vaccinated first, will participate in a study on potential side effects. and its frequency.

Japanese skepticism of vaccines developed outside the country is high, following a series of serious side effects.

Participants will keep a daily record for seven weeks after the administration of the first of two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, the only one currently approved in the country.

The Ministry of Health estimates that there are about 3.7 million first-line health workers in Japan, who would start getting vaccinated in March.

After them, it will be those over 65 – about 36 million people – whose vaccination is scheduled to begin in April, the minister said.

People with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or heart conditions will come next, and senior care workers after them. Finally, it will be those 16 and above.

Japan received a first shipment of 386,100 doses of the vaccine from Europe last week and expects to receive a second shipment in the near future, although no details were released.

“I hope many people get vaccinated with knowledge of the benefits and risks,” Kono said during the hearing.

The Japanese minister said those most interested in getting vaccinated in the country are the elderly and he encouraged young people to get the vaccine “to prevent the disease.” EFE-EPA

mra/lds