Pfizer Submits Data On Vaccine Clinical Trials
NHK has learned that US pharmaceutical firm Pfizer has submitted data to Japan's health ministry on clinical trials of its coronavirus vaccine that were held in the country. The ministry plans to decide whether to approve the vaccine next month.
Sources say Pfizer on Friday submitted data from trials that involved 160 Japanese people aged 20 or older.
Pfizer is the only supplier of COVID-19 vaccine that has applied for authorization in Japan.
Pfizer has signed a contract with the Japanese government to supply enough vaccine for 72 million people this year.
Authorities said the firm initially planned to compile data on the trials by the end of February, but the company presented the information this month instead at the government's request.
The health ministry was already conducting an assessment of the vaccine based on data obtained from clinical trials held outside Japan. It plans to hold a meeting of experts next month to make a decision.
If approved, the government plans to start inoculating medical workers with the vaccine late February.