The first Pfizer vaccine arrives in Japan… “Two days early, immediate vaccination”

The first amount of vaccine for the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) from Pfizer, a US pharmaceutical company, arrived at Narita Airport in Japan on the 12th. [로이터=연합뉴스]

The COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by US pharmaceutical company Pfizer and German Bioentech arrived at Narita International Airport in Japan around 10:20 am on the 12th. It is the first Corona 19 vaccine to be supplied in Japan.

According to local media such as NHK, the vaccine was transported by air from Brussels Airport in Belgium on the night of the 11th. The quantity was 400,000 times and arrived two days earlier than originally planned. Earlier, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare signed a contract with Pfizer for 144 million doses (72 million people) of the Corona 19 vaccine.

As the vaccine arrives sooner than planned, the approval of the use of the vaccine by the Japanese government is expected to be accelerated.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan will hold a special section on this day to review whether Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for special approval. Approval of special cases is a procedure that simplifies the review process.

The Japanese pharmaceutical review agency, PMDA, has already submitted a report stating that Pfizer’s vaccine has no particular problem with its safety and efficacy, and that it recognizes the special approval.

If the Ministry of Health and Welfare passes this report on that day, the Welfare Minister Tamura Norihisa will immediately approve the use of the Pfizer vaccine. Tamura Welfare Prize said, “I will start vaccination immediately after approval.”

Initially, the Japanese government planned to start vaccination for 10,000 medical workers starting on the 17th, and in April to target the elderly, those with underlying diseases, and workers in the elderly facilities in order. Faster approval from Tamura’s Welfare Awards can also speed up the first vaccination date.

However, there are concerns that the inoculation schedule will be disrupted as the number of people who can receive Pfizer vaccine is reduced by nearly 20% due to the mistake of purchasing a syringe earlier.

Reporter Lee Min-jung [email protected]