Noriko Horiuchi, minister in charge of vaccination rollout, said Japanese minors under the age of 12 may start receiving COVID-19 shots in the middle of spring once approved by the health ministry.
Horiuchi as cited by Japanese Kyodo news agency on Tuesday said “the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare are expected to consider the issue. The vaccination, if approved, will start after March.’’
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida earlier said that the government plans to start vaccination of minors under the age of 12 as soon as the healthcare ministry grants approval.
According to Kishida, the measure will help to slow down the spread of Omicron strain.
In November, Pfizer and BioNTech applied to the Japanese ministry for approval to use their COVID-19 vaccines for minors from five to 11 years old. (Sputnik/NAN)
