national

Most major cities in Japan revise vaccine plans amid supply crunch

50 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

50 Comments
Login to comment

Utterly shameful.

21 ( +25 / -4 )

They should have used their Astra Zeneca from the start like most other countries. Overly cautious as usual.

19 ( +25 / -6 )

In a post to AntiqueSavings who doubted me a few weeks ago, I told them:

Numan wrote:

I think it is a logistics issue. I got my tickets and not a senior. I work in Setagaya, and I am getting my first next week at work. We are suppose to get the second during the first week of August. I looked at the website from my Ward office. They are not scheduling any vaccinations in August. July is all booked. The late

vaxxers will spill over into the other wards. The private clinics are booked all the way through August or no longer offering maybe due to no supply.

It might become a case of mix and match after August. It might be get it where you can, and you should not mind getting both Pfizer and Moderna.

I have a friend who lives Meguro and got their tickets about 8 days after I got mine. Not a senior at all. Their first scheduled shot based on selecting a location in their ward was the middle of August. They became worried and did not want to wait. They looked around Tokyo wards and private clinics.

They found a place and got their first shot last week, and their second shot is already scheduled a week before mine.

Like I said previously, people are getting the vaccination wherever they can and are mixing and matching.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

I’m eligible to apply from tomorrow. I’m not holding my breath.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Didn't I read an article that says the government is blaming misinformation (conspiracies) for derailing it's plan to get the population vaccinated? I guess that was yesterday's news. Something different for today.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Total and complete incompetence.

11 ( +14 / -3 )

A total of 33 cities, or 70 percent, said the amount of doses allocated for July remains less than half the desired amount

Absolutely shameful.

What does it take to realise that this group of people perpetually in governmental positions are utterly incompetent?

12 ( +13 / -1 )

Many people in this forum were saying that Japan had already received 400 million vaccines to date. If so, I guess the country wasted over 300 million vaccines through donations and incompetence.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Sadly, those same incompetents will be re-elected by the even more pathetic citizens.

16 ( +17 / -1 )

Delivery of available vaccines is not enough for the demand since they are very popular because of their safety and efficacy.

Rest of the world? - supply has to be improved by all possible means.

Japan? - lets vaccinate less, and lets hold an international mega event to make people interact more with each other.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

My wife, and I were vaccinated with Moderna vaccine . . . also good . . . .

3 ( +7 / -4 )

It would probably be wiser to have have a smaller number of fully vaccinated people than a larger number of partially vaccinated people. Having many partially vaccinated people coming into contact with the virus, in theory at least, sets-up evolutionary pressure favoring new variants (somewhat analogous to antibiotic resistance, an especially apt comparison in this case since the existing vaccines produce an immune response to only a single target - the S protein). It will be interesting to see whether this is actually observed or not in countries like Japan and Brazil where a large number of people remain only partially vaccinated.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

the vaccines are a series, and have to be taken after a certain time period, or they run the risk of having to start all over again! Wow

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I’ll get vaccinated after I see the results of the vaccine from 5 years now to be on safety side. Just in case. Not rushing to get my jabs as been two years still alive here in wonderland Tokyo

-11 ( +6 / -17 )

I’ll get vaccinated after I see the results of the vaccine from 5 years now to be on safety side

That is not the safety side, not being vaccinated (a completely free thing to choose) comes with higher risk of short, medium and long term problems. Viral infections are one of the common causes for chronic problems like autoimmunity or cancer. Since the virus has been infecting humans for much less time than the mRNA vaccines technology has been used in humans assuming infection is less risky is a mistake.

10 ( +15 / -5 )

My appointment was cancelled by my ward as they could not guarantee they could give me my second dose in late August.

I got on several waiting list and got Moderna on Friday.

For now my wife's appointment is still a go.

My son's company had their vaccine program cancelled as no vaccine was available.

So he tried as soon as his age group was available to book in our ward. No more appointments for anyone!

So we tried the same thing I did calling all the places individually to get him on a waiting list.

No go they refused saying he is young, even trying to explain he has certain chronic medical issues and we have proof, it was still NO.

If anyone knows where he can go it would be appreciated.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

the vaccines are a series, and have to be taken after a certain time period, or they run the risk of having to start all over again! Wow

Not really true.

This is why in Canada they really stretch out the time between doses.

This way they got far more people vaccinated with at least one dose quickly.

This article give a very simple to understand explanation as to the protection one gets from each vaccine after a single dose and the second dose.

https://www.businessinsider.com/covid-vaccine-one-shot-effectiveness-pfizer-moderna-astrazeneca-vaccines-dose-2021-3?amp

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

@Antiquesaving

My appointment was cancelled by my ward as they could not guarantee they could give me my second dose in late August.

I got on several waiting list and got Moderna on Friday.

For now my wife's appointment is still a go.

My son's company had their vaccine program cancelled as no vaccine was available.

So he tried as soon as his age group was available to book in our ward. No more appointments for anyone!

So we tried the same thing I did calling all the places individually to get him on a waiting list.

No go they refused saying he is young, even trying to explain he has certain chronic medical issues and we have proof, it was still NO.

If anyone knows where he can go it would be appreciated.

Basically, everything that I said two weeks that you doubted is correct!

Thanks for the confirmation!

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Basically, everything that I said two weeks that you doubted is correct!

Thanks for the confirmation!

If I recall the only part I doubted was going outside your ward, which we tried and were told very clearly NO.

I know I tried, couldn't find those "private" clinics with vaccine you mentioned.

Even my doctor friend who has a small hospital doesn't know of any.

If any place has vaccine they are under the ward or city booking system other than the companies that have Moderna for their employees.

So if you know these places please give us a list or at least one.



-1 ( +4 / -5 )

Like I said previously, people are getting the vaccination wherever they can and are mixing and matching.

Oh mix and match!

No a chance.

Have you gotten your vaccine yet have you seen the procedures.

They check your vouchers if you got Pfizer they will refuse to give you any other if not they will not get paid for the vaccine or vaccination.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

What does it take to realise that this group of people perpetually in governmental positions are utterly incompetent?

Of the Japanese that follow current affairs, I do believe this is the general opinion already. But it's always shoganai so nothing changes.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Japan makes plan based on expected vaccines arrival from overseas. Any changes regarding arrivals affect the schedule.

I note that people in major cities get their tickets well before the ones living in regions and countryside for the same age. Logical in term of health risk. However many who live far away still commute for work toward the major cities

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

"Suga has said the number of people who have received their first shot is expected to reach 40 percent by the end of July. But the survey found only 11 cities expect to meet the goal."

Typical Japanese politics: "We're going to do this! (to camera). Now... it's up to you, the cities, how to implement it -- I've done my part (off camera)."

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Expats not on the Japanese rolls can get vaccinated at the Gaijin clinics. There is no official record and no obligation to be honest about the first or second shot. Some clinics offer Moderna but mostly Pfizer.

A health official in Canada said it might be a good idea, and a guy in the US got both by accident.

Yeah, Numan is right!

Oh great!

Tell us how did they get the vaccine they are using seeing only the government of Japan is importing it?

Just curious, is it vaccine or saline?

Yes a Russian I know told me no problem to get Sputnik in Japan, not sure how good it is or authentic.

Oh and

. A Japanese man in Japan got 4 shots. He got the first two at the hospital that he was working at, then he got two more after his vouchers arrived

He was vaccinated before as part of the medical workers and then in violation used his vouchers and had you read the article he also had to pay because of it.

Using extremely rare exceptions does not mean everyone can or that it is possible.

The "heard" "I known someone" or "heard someone my friend's friend " is not fact.

So hear I ask a simple question did YOU or did Anyone Else saying as Numan or you do it? Not my friend, I heard but actually the person that respondes here?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Are not some people flying to the US to get vaccinated?

If so, I have some questions.

Leave japan with a PCR test of negative, and arrive in the US and do 2 weeks quarantine.

Go get a shot...does the prescription cost anything?

Wait for three for the next shot.

Wait two more weeks for it to be verified as being protected.

5.Go get a PCR test before flying back to Japan.

Quarantine in Japan for 14 days unless you are an Olympic family with special privileges.

Do most people have that much time on their hands?

Is this worth it? I am a fraid of this virus.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

COVID-19 vaccines developed by Moderna Inc. and AstraZeneca Plc have also been approved in Japan. The Moderna vaccine had been used in vaccination programs at workplaces but hit a supply bottleneck recently.

The government has yet to start supplying the AstraZeneca vaccine

I have no problem with AZ personally but I do see potential ones down the road.

If I was ever planing on traveling internationally I would stick to Pfizer and Moderna.

Many countries require quarantine for those arriving especially non citizens.

Countries are granting exemption from quarantine for those that have been vaccinated and can show proof.

Now there are caveats and like Canada only for those having gotten vaccines approved in Canada which means Sputnik, Sinovac, etc... Are a no go.

AZ is not approved in the USA so if a similar rule is implemented those with AZ will not be accepted as vaccinated.

We are seeing this already as certain venues in the USA for sports and concerts are turning away those that got AZ vaccine ( mostly Canadians that travel to the USA).

So for this reason I would avoid AZ otherwise it seems like a good enough vaccine.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

A lot of people criticizing the government on this issue. There are definitely a lot of issues both at the national and prefectural level, but I think they are doing much better now.

At the beginning of the vaccine program there were all kinds of issues with elderly not showing up or being double booked. They had lots of left over shots that weren't getting used, but they still didn't open it up to the younger age groups.

Now the problem is people are eligible but they don't have enough doses. Better than having stockpiles of doses that they can't get out to the population.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

If you can’t do it yourself relyon the other friends.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Got my first shot today and the second is booked for August 8th, I wander if I get it.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Since central government has proved itself so great at providing adequate supplies of vaccines, we should forget the free market malarkey and have central government supply everything. Thank goodness younger people are so interested in socialism these days, everything will be wonderful!

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

So so so so so so so so so so so so so inept.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

If you’re worried about supply, why has Mr suga been handing out vaccines to all his Asian neighbours?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Now there are caveats and like Canada only for those having gotten vaccines approved in Canada which means Sputnik, Sinovac, etc... Are a no go.

Given Sputnik was banned in Brazil for being contaminated with active flu virus (poor manufacturing control) and Sinovac appears to have questionable effectiveness. I don't think anyone should be sad about them not being in market.

AZ is not approved in the USA so if a similar rule is implemented those with AZ will not be accepted as vaccinated.

AZ isn't approved in the US because the people they hired to run the study in the USA keep messing it up. It's a lot of self inflicted errors. They likely will get it approved because it helps with sales internationally, but the urgency just isn't there in the US given the levels of vaccine available.

Japan in general is difficult to get approvals in. I know people who travel to Japan and Europe to gain approval from governments and they are not surprised how long it's taking in Japan. There's just so much useless red tape that has nothing to do with patient safety.

Say what you will about Pfizer, but they know how to run drug studies. They have teams all over the world that know local regulations really well. The people I know who are in the industry who listened to their presentations to the approval panels and FDA were extremely impressed with how they packaged the study and how they were able to answer any question that came up with ease.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Didn't the gov. donate a few million doses to Vietnam and Taiwan last month? Is this one of the causes of the shortage?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Seems a complete lottery.

Had one of mine but had to fight to get it.

Meanwhile in the UK, you can get one in stadiums, shopping malls - all kinds of innovative ways. All adults have been offered at least one jab (and no need for paper vouchers/ stickers!)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Didn't the gov. donate a few million doses to Vietnam and Taiwan last month? Is this one of the causes of the shortage?

They have a limited lifespan. Would those ones they gave away have lasted this long?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It is true about getting vaccinated in the USA. Where I am at in Colorado, it's free and no insurance is required. Just show up with ID, get jabbed (Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J). If you get Moderna (what I got) or Pfizer, they immediately make an appointment for you about 28 days later. Drug stores, supermarkets, clinics, hospitals are all offering it. My Japanese wife just got her first Pfizer shot. Just a sore arm.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

As far as logistics, the Pfizer has to be kept at -70C, so there is a logistical hurdle with that one (special refrigeration, not common). Moderna only needs -20C. Can be done at any hospital / clinic.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Instead of watching more Japanese become sick, it is better if the Japanese government to educate (through newspapers, posters, etc.) how vaccines work . . . . Vaccines help the body's immune system to protect against the virus like Covid-19 . . . . it is important for young people to know . . . . Here's an article found on the Internet,

https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/how-do-vaccines-work?gclid=CjwKCAjwos-HBhB3EiwAe4xM99uwdOmyurDzwpTxoOqj1HklgUQWRQlpToSitGWkgNjmD3ns84HKaRoCcWkQAvD_BwE

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Got my invite last week, trying to actually arrange an appointment is impossible.......my local city has stopped all reservations on the official site, no available dates as yet for the rest of July and August........

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Nearly 80% of 47 prefectural capitals in Japan said they either have changed or intend to change their plans to vaccinate their local residents amid a supply shortage of vaccines.

Japan has secured sufficient Pfizer doses for about 1.2 million vaccinations per day through September

No pun intended but there is no explanation of the delta. 

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Isn’t the AstraZeneca vaccine being produced in Kobe?

Why do the Japanese make the simple things difficult?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I’m eligible to apply from tomorrow. I’m not holding my breath.

@Somedude - I wouldn't if I were you. I felt the same way as you. The next day when I TRIED to make an appointment, I couldn't. My area was not taking anymore appointments. The best I got was being put on a waiting list. That's the reality of Japan.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It is true about getting vaccinated in the USA. Where I am at in Colorado, it's free and no insurance is required. Just show up with ID, get jabbed (Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J). If you get Moderna (what I got) or Pfizer, they immediately make an appointment for you about 28 days later. Drug stores, supermarkets, clinics, hospitals are all offering it. My Japanese wife just got her first Pfizer shot. Just a sore arm.

@the_sicillian - California, too. My relatives, family, and friends have had their 2nd doses. Many venues, pharmacies, and stores, along with doctors' offices, are giving them, with no appointment, no card, nada. Just show up. Now why can't Japan do that? I know, they think too much.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I was lucky enough to grab a cancellation and get my first shot yesterday, as well as an appointment for three weeks from now. I feel so relieved I don't have to wait until my original first shot date of August 25.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites