Nearly 140 Vaccination - Related Mistakes Reported
Japan's health ministry says it has received reports of nearly 140 mistakes related to nationwide coronavirus vaccinations, including the reuse of syringes.
The ministry is calling on municipalities across the country to report to it any mistakes as soon as they have occurred while vaccinating residents.
Of the over 23 million shots that had been given through June 16, the ministry says 139 involved mistakes. They include cases in which two doses were given at an incorrect interval, or only saline solution was injected.
The ministry says 70 of those cases could have led to serious health damage. They include incidents in which shots were given with used syringes, or recipients were given vaccines whose period of validity had expired. In 23 incidents, there was the risk of blood infection.
The ministry says it has briefed municipalities on the reported mistakes, and urged them to take appropriate measures to prevent a recurrence, such as disposing of used syringes on the spot.