2nd Jabs Under Way At Govt. Vaccination Centers
Administration of the second dose of coronavirus vaccines is now fully under way at large-scale facilities set up by the Japanese government.
Many people began receiving their second doses at the vaccination centers in Tokyo and Osaka run by the Defense Ministry.
Access to inoculations have been expanded in stages at the centers since they opened on May 24. Shots are currently being given to people 18 and older who have vaccination tickets from their local municipalities.
An 81-year-old woman who got her second jab at the Tokyo center said she was relieved that it went smoothly.
She said she had stayed home because she was worried about getting infected, but that now she hopes to increase opportunities to exercise, including going to the gym.
Defense Ministry officials say they expect inoculations to proceed more quickly now that people are getting their second shots.
The ministry expanded the number of reservation slots from Monday by 300 people per day in Tokyo and 75 people per day in Osaka. But they say all slots for this week are already full.
They also say the initially designated slots for 15,000 people per day total in Tokyo and Osaka are fully booked through the end of July.
The Defense Ministry says shots will no longer be given at the large-scale centers to people without reservations. The decision comes after many people lined up at the centers without bookings, awaiting cancellations.