Companies, Universities Move On Inoculations
Several Japanese companies have begun vaccinating their employees ahead of the full-fledged launch of workplace inoculations on Monday.
Major mobile phone carrier KDDI began its vaccination program on Saturday, targeting those who will work at its vaccination site in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, near its head office.
A worker in his 20s said he was relieved to get vaccinated as his job as a network manager makes it difficult to take leave. Another employee who is involved in the operation of the facility said it was a good rehearsal for the full-blown start next week.
The company plans to inoculate up to 70,000 people in its workforce.
Kindai University on Saturday conducted a rehearsal for its vaccine rollout. Doctors and other staff gathered at its main campus in the city of Higashiosaka, western Japan, to confirm the procedures.
Doctors rehearsed questioning recipients about their health, including whether they had any allergies or underlying conditions.
Nurses were seen checking medical questionnaires and confirming details about how to administer shots.
The university plans to inoculate as many as 34,000 students, staff and teachers, beginning on Monday. It says around 14,500 people or 40 percent of prospective vaccine recipients had booked slots as of Saturday morning.
The head of the nursing department at Kindai University Hospital, Kasai Chiaki, said measures to counter the heat will be necessary given the number of expected visitors to the site. She also said the staff will step up preparations by sharing information.