• The country claims to have vaccinated 4% of its population.
• Japan is considering asking for a negative COVID-19 test from fans attending the Tokyo Olympics.

Reportedly, the Japan Health Ministry panel has approved the use of Pfizer Inc.’s COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12 & above. Japan had first approved Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine back in February and immediately began vaccinating its front liners.

Japan’s elderly population was next in line starting April. In this context, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga had pledged to vaccinate the country’s 36 million geriatric population by 31st July.

According to reliable sources, Pfizer Inc. has been working with the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency to get its vaccines authorized quickly for use in the younger population for weeks.

The Japanese government had approved AstraZeneca’s and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines on May 21, hours before the extension of the country-wise emergency. It is worth noting here that the emergency, which was declared to control the spread of the virus was expected to end on May 11, 2021.

Japan has reportedly vaccinated approximately 4% of its population to date, which accounts for approximately a million people. This is an effort to control the rise in the number of cases in the country, ahead of the opening of the Tokyo Olympics being held in Japan on 23rd July 2021.

Although Japan has been making considerable efforts to reduce the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections, a new poll suggested that public opposition to the Tokyo Olympics has managed to remain strong. Japan is now considering asking for a negative test from fans attending the Games.

The Tokyo Olympics have been put on hold due to the ongoing pandemic. However, the Japanese government as well as the International Olympic Committee have announced that the Games will continue as per schedule under strict COVID-safe rules.

Source Credits –

https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/rest-of-the-world-news/japan-set-to-approve-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-for-inoculation-of-12-to-15-year-olds.html