Kono backtracks on target to secure enough COVID-19 shots by June

Why is this all so glacially slow? What have Japanese pharma firms been doing for the last year? Couldn't they make the vaccine under license over here?

id also like to know what the deal is for distribution. i feel like there's been no communication at all from their side. HOW do people with pre-existing conditions get vaccinated? do we need a coupon as well, do we just make an appointment? nothing i read actually specifies..

Hahaha...Olympics looking dead in the water...so forget the sense of urgency (Government sulk?)??

Why is this all so glacially slow? What have Japanese pharma firms been doing for the last year? Couldn't they make the vaccine under license over here?

it is slow because that is the way that Japanese do everything in medical sciences, things proved safe for years are not used in Japan because all the approval methods are made to avoid all and every kind of scares, even if that costs more lives lost in the end.

Japanese pharma firms are a couple of generations behind the rest of the developed world precisely because there is no incentive in developing something that will take a few extra years to get approved, those that can actually do something are working to get a product to be approved overseas.

And japanese pharma firms can of course make the vaccine under license (being less competitive since it would cost much more to do it that way) but that would not change the fact that the vaccines have not been approved yet, and there is no guarantee that they will be, that would make any company nervous about investing a huge lot amount of resources (and time) to be able to produce the vaccines.

Mr.Kono is probably the most capable politician within the LDP but he’s not deciding things by himself and still it’s tight with the ultra conservative lobbies won’t make the task easier.

"At the moment, we are making preparations to start vaccination in late February," Kono said. "We would like to provide information on what will come after that as things firm up."

I'll firm you up you lazy old bugger. Late February is but a month away. Are they preparing mass innoculation centres? Training staff? Are they doing anything before the stuff turns up in trucks from the airport?

Why is this all so glacially slow?

Because, they have to protect the people's health and make sure people don't drop dead after getting their shots. as is happening in both America and Europe. Also, they want to watch and learn from the mistakes that are happening in America and Europe.

Couldn't they make the vaccine under license over here?.

That is the plan, but first it has to get approved.

Are they preparing mass innoculation centres?

Training staff?

Yes to all of the above.

Here is all the information, since you asked:

Takeda Expands COVID-19 Vaccine Supply in Japan Through Partnership with Moderna and Government of Japan

https://www.takeda.com/newsroom/newsreleases/2020/takeda-expands-covid-19-vaccine-supply-in-japan-through--partnership-with-moderna-and-government-of

Japan to buy 10,500 freezers for COVID-19 vaccines

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/japan-to-buy-10-500-freezers-for-covid-19-vaccines-13740964

Are they doing anything before the stuff turns up in trucks from the airport?

Judging from above, it looks like they are.

Good work @Redbear. The first link you posted is incomplete but easily googleable.

Got a link for that bit about people dropping dead with syringes in their arms?

Pfizer can’t meet it’s orders. Time approve other vaccines, Japan.

The first backtrack of a long series

secure enough COVID-19 shots

That's just securing. That means ensuring the agreed upon number of shots to be ordered and delivered. Who knows when will these vaccines be delivered or worse administered.

Japan, why so slow?

Because, they have to protect the people's health and make sure people don't drop dead after getting their shots. as is happening in both America and Europe. 

Dude, 23 died in Norway and that's because they're 75+ years old. You're talking as if the number is too high to warrant the ridiculously "slow" response of Japan.

Not with syringes but I do have a link about people dropping dead after they had the shot:

The COVID-19 vaccine is dangerous because 23 people died in Norway "within hours” of receiving it.

Did you actually read the link that you provided? Do you know why the "within hours" bit was in quotes? Because they weren't "within hours". They also weren't due to the vaccine, as detailed in the article that you quoted and actually in the headline;

"Norway deaths after COVID-19 shot were among very frail elderly, not proved to be caused by vaccine". How clear does it need to be for you to comprehend?

So in conclusion, no, they did not 'drop dead' 'within hours' of getting the vaccine. Try to read the stuff you link to before wasting our time.

Taro Kono, told reporters that "old information" was behind a spokesman's comments

"Good. We wouldn't want to be up to date with these proceedings or anything.

Keep up the good work Kono. You're doing a top notch job. Very qualified.

Hopefully the vaccine's will be ready at the opening ceremonies at the 2021 Olympics. That way every one wins, right? I wanna see them line up needles as the 100s of 1000s athletes from a 100 countries march into the stadium.........."

SAYS NO ONE!!!!

Because, they have to protect the people's health and make sure people don't drop dead after getting their shots. as is happening in both America and Europe. Also, they want to watch and learn from the mistakes that are happening in America and Europe.

Its impossible to prevent deaths on all people vaccinated, after people can die from completely unrelated things, there has been no "mistakes" in America and Europe so there is nothing to watch and learn, specially when that means leaving vulnerable population unprotected and in high risk of dying from the infection.

Since the Tokyo Olympics' cancelled, Japan got time for vaccine roll out now.

The story should have said that the Imperial family will be first in line for the vaccination -- if they haven't had it already.