Japan Likely To Approve Pfizer Vaccine On Sunday
Japan's health ministry is expected to approve a coronavirus vaccine developed by US firm Pfizer as early as Sunday.
A panel of experts at the ministry will hold a meeting on Friday evening to discuss whether the vaccine should be approved.
If the panel gives the green light, health minister Tamura Norihisa will likely formally approve the product's use as early as Sunday.
Accounts of clinical trials and vaccinations conducted outside Japan indicate that there have been reports of suspected side effects, such as swelling around the jab site, headaches, fatigue and muscle pain.
There were also reports overseas of rare cases of severe allergic reactions, called anaphylaxis, after the vaccinations.
Rashes, abdominal pain, vomiting, and difficulty breathing are other side effects expected after an individual receives the shot.
The health ministry plans to collect data on the side effects from Pfizer's vaccine by monitoring about 10,000 medical workers, who are first in line to receive the jabs.
Medical institutions will monitor those people's conditions for 28 days after they receive the second dose of the vaccine.
Officials plan to examine the health of some elderly people and members of the general public who receive the shots. They will then publish the information that they gather.
Officials also plan to ask medical institutions to report on suspected side effects and hold meetings of experts frequently to evaluate the safety of the vaccine.
Anyone who develops side effects will be eligible for financial support and other relief measures in accordance with the law.