Japan holds 1st COVID-19 vaccination simulation

Japan has held its first COVID-19 vaccination simulation in the city of Kawasaki near Tokyo on Wednesday, as the country prepares to begin the vaccination process by late February.

About 60 people, including doctors, nurses and local government staff, participated in the simulation, in an effort to assess how long it will take to vaccinate and how big the system needs to be.

Japan’s vaccination process is slated to begin with medical workers, then people aged 65 or older from late March, followed by people with preexisting conditions and those caring for the elderly.

Around 10,000 medical workers are in line to get the free inoculations first, followed by 50 million most at-risk people, according to government officials.

Government sources have said that the general public is expected to become eligible for vaccinations from around May.

ALSO READ: Africa in danger of being left behind in COVID-19 vaccination – WHO

Taro Kono, administrative reform minister, who was appointed to lead the vaccination efforts, has pledged to ensure the swift distribution of doses nationwide.

However, the latest poll conducted by Kyodo News showed that 38 or 80 per cent of the country’s 47 prefectural capitals are unsure whether they have enough doctors and nurses to do the job.

(NAN)