December 1

The Japanese government will start administering third doses of coronavirus vaccine for doctors, nurses and other health care personnel on Wednesday.

The health ministry says 1.04 million health care workers are eligible for a booster shot in December.

It says an estimated 610,000 people aged 65 or older, as well as 2 million health care personnel, will be eligible for a third dose in January.

Some municipalities are planning to start giving third shots to people aged 64 or younger in January at the earliest. They will send out tickets for vaccination to people shortly before eight months after their second shots.

The ministry points out the possibility of delays in sending out tickets in some municipalities. It says it will make exceptions to allow people who are not able to receive tickets as scheduled to get vaccinated.

People will receive third jabs in groups at venues set up by municipalities or individually at medical institutions. The Pfizer vaccine will be used for booster shots.

Vaccinations at workplaces and universities will begin in March and applications will start on December 13th.

NHK