Experts Endorse Vaccination Priorities
A panel of experts has basically approved the Japanese government's plan to offer coronavirus vaccines first to medical workers, elderly people, and those with pre-existing conditions.
The meeting of the panel on Friday was attended by the minister in charge of the coronavirus response, Nishimura Yasutoshi, and health minister Kato Katsunobu.
Medical workers were chosen because they face a higher risk of infection, while the elderly and people with underlying health issues are more likely to become seriously ill when infected.
The experts also agreed to continue studying whether to prioritize emergency workers, public health center staff, caregivers for the elderly, and pregnant women.
After the meeting, panel chief Omi Shigeru told reporters that the development of an ideal, effective vaccine is not guaranteed, but that hopes are rising among the public.
Omi said the government should do its utmost to secure enough vaccine shots, and act quickly if it needs to buy them from overseas. He said it would be too late if officials waited for the product's safety and efficacy to be fully established.
Omi also said that historically, immunization drives in Japan were hampered by the people's deep concern about side effects.
He said the experts have a duty to report quickly and openly any information they obtain on the efficacy of a coronavirus vaccine, and the side effects it may cause.
