 |
| Pfizer Inc.'s coronavirus vaccine for children aged between 5 and 11. (Photo by= Pfizer Inc.) |
[Asia News = Reporter Reakkana] TOKYO: Japan's health ministry on Friday approved the administration of Pfizer Inc.'s coronavirus vaccine to children aged between 5 and 11 as the nationwide case count continues to climb with the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, Kyodo reported.
It is the first COVID-19 vaccine made available in Japan for that age group. Inoculations will begin as early as March after specifics, including guidelines, are worked out, according to officials. Up to about 8 million children will be eligible to receive the vaccine, developed by the U.S. pharmaceutical giant and its German partner BioNTech SE, after it was granted special fast-track approval by the ministry. The vaccine is currently only available to people aged 12 and older in Japan.
Health experts have been divided on the necessity of vaccinating young children as they are unlikely to develop serious symptoms if infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Some parents, meanwhile, have expressed concerns about possible side effects. "We'd like to carefully explain the safety (of the vaccine) and start inoculation as soon as possible to those who wish to receive it," Noriko Horiuchi, minister in charge of promoting vaccine rollouts, said at a press conference.
