April 22

Japan's health ministry is planning to offer a fourth shot of a coronavirus vaccine five months after the third jab.

Sources at the ministry told NHK that the fourth shots will initially be provided to people at risk of developing serious symptoms, including the elderly and those with underlying conditions.

The ministry had originally said the interval between the third and fourth vaccinations would be six months. It began to consider shortening the gap after studying data from Israel, where fourth doses are already being offered. The data showed that the efficacy of a third shot could drop drastically after six months.

The sources said some countries are offering the fourth doses after a four-month interval, but the ministry believes a gap of five months is needed to ensure safety.

The ministry will discuss its plan in a meeting with an expert panel next week.

NHK