Japan considers prioritizing Olympic athletes for COVID-19 vaccination

Alright, the government is giving priority to young healthy foreign athletes over the vast majority of us residents, who pay taxes and as a group are a lot more vulnerable to the damaging after-effects of COVID like pneumonia.

"Public health" at its finest.

 but the rollout has been held back by slow supply from Pfizer Inc.

Typical Japanese media reporting. Japan deliberately delayed the vaccine's introduction so it could test around 200 Japanese people in a trial that had no clinical rationale. The delay was about politics and image.

Discussions ... are just getting started ... the official said, while voicing concern that including coaches and other staff could invite criticism from the public.

There would be no criticism if Japan would start to rapidly administer the vaccine.

It’s already been decided and ‘plans’ are underway.

*- “Japan considers prioritizing...” *

People ‘respect(?)’ news more when you don’t try to ‘spoon feed’ HYPOCRISY ‘a little at a time’. -

nonsense. healthy, young people, especially athletes dont need this - let alone for some rubbish like the olympics.

only a very small percentage of elderly, ill and weak require this.

Just do it.

Absolutely disgusting. Prioritize the people with health conditions and the elderly. Terrible idea. This Olympics just keeps getting less popular.

@JeffLee

First: They are talking about Japanese Athletes only, but I agree vaccinating young strong Athletes before more vulnerable is insane but then so is still insisting on hold the Olympics.

Second: Even if Japan skipt all local testing accepted the company's data other countries data, etc.. vaccination wouldn't have started any earlier and if it had would have halted quickly as supply was just not coming.

If people remember, Canada, now Australia, South Korea and just about every other country outside the EU had their orders blocked.

Canada like Australia now started vaccinating only to have the EU block it's shipments as did most.

Japan ordered it's shipments, had storage ready and planned on starting vaccinations as soon as it was approved but the EU held up shipments even past the time the vaccine had finished local trials.

It is getting tiring here, Australia, Canada and others blaming bthe local government for not having Vaccine when it is the EU, UK and USA that are the ones blocking everyone outside those locations from getting their Vaccine orders.

At least Serbia and it's neighbours know and say who is at fault along with Chile, Turkey, Mexico, etc.. they and their populations blame the EU as they should.

Ahh another bizarre plan that doesn’t help the populace, just gets on with official agendas.

So although the elderly here haven’t been vaccinated (and don’t want to) the plan is now to give it to Olympic athletes.

Can you get a covid shot and perform at your peak with Corona Virus in your body?

Also since at least half of the people in Japan don’t want to get vaccinated, how’s that actually going to happen?

We will be in this all 2021

taking a leaf out of New Zealand's book?

Mar. 25  07:12 pm JST Posted in: New Zealand Olympians to get early access to COVID-19 vaccine  See in context

aah, must be great to be a member of the elite.

"In mid-February, Japan launched its vaccination program"

England Dec. 8th

USA Dec. 14th.

Late vaccination did not help and NOT helping the current situation. It took Japan more than too moth to even start, and it is moving at a SNAIL pace as usual.

Meanwhile in the US (from the World News section):

"The United States Olympic Paralympic Committee (USOPC) will help athletes find a COVID-19 vaccine but will not require them to get a shot to compete at the Tokyo Summer Games, CEO Sarah Hirshland said Wednesday."

I wonder how this will impact IOC and JOC's decision to carry on with the Olympics?

jiji XxToday 07:31 am JST

taking a leaf out of New Zealand's book?

Mar. 25 07:12 pm JST Posted in: New Zealand Olympians to get early access to COVID-19 vaccine  See in context

aah, must be great to be a member of the elite.

There's a difference. NZ has by and large contained the pandemic and there are very few cases, so the need for vaccination is not so urgent. And also, NZ athletes will be travelling to an infected country, so they need to be protected, unlike NZers who are staying withing their own borders. Japanese athletes aren't travelling anywhere.

"It took Japan more than too moth to even start..."

Too moth?

Why are these deranged Olympic fetishists even bothering to tell the public about this plan? The Japanese team consists of fewer than 1,000 athletes. All of them could be vaccinated in a single day and the public would be none the wiser.

Do they get their perverted jollies by letting us commoners know how little regard they truly have the health of the nation?

but the rollout has been held back by slow supply from Pfizer Inc.

Third paragraph in and the article is already blaming a foreign company for the Japanese government's inactivity. Yup, it's a Kyodo report.

I want to thank the japanese governement for proving once and for all they only care about their precious Olympics and not really about their own citizens.

Ha ha ha ha ha! My oh my.

Screw all the elderly, vulnerable, front line workers, teachers etc. The country sold its soul to the Olympic devil and it must earn money for all the companies involved in having their names emblazoned on screens.

What happened to the effectiveness of ‘bubbles’? If athletes NEED a vaccine to participate in a few hours of bubble controlled gathering, what does that say to the millions of people who are riding trains every day, or teachers standing in front of classes of students every day?

What a joke this place is sometimes.

An inevitable result. The Japanese government has been prioritizing the Olympics over people's lives since the beginning of the pandemic; this is only the latest development.

an official with knowledge of the matter said Wednesday.

Awesome tabloid reporting here folks. Perhaps it was me that called them and told them.

If this does go ahead, who will be responsible for any side effects that prevent the athletes from competing?

If Japan hadn't been so slow to address CoVid, they could be where the US is - on track to have everyone (provided they are smart enough) vaccinated by the beginning of the summer.

"Japan considers prioritizing Olympic athletes for COVID-19 vaccination"

So great news. Where can we [ the citizens of Japan]

obtain our shots? Where? Anyone? Where?

; ^ )

The fact the government hasn't made any moves to buy Sputnik V has gone from strange, to comicial to criminal.

The fact the government hasn't made any moves to buy Sputnik V has gone from strange, to comicial to criminal.

Why would anyone ever trust anything put out by Putin's government? They've only proven themselves to be liars. To trust their vaccine, you'd have to trust their information. Is anyone stupid enough to trust Putin's Russia?

Japan considers prioritizing Olympics over populations opinions.

Had Japan taken this pandemic seriously and scrapped the idea of even having the olympics. The money that has been thrown at the delay of 1 year might could have BEEN REDIRECTED to development of their own homegrown vaccine

The money redirected on the one year delay was nothing compared to the money that had already been spent preparing for the Olympics. Now it's known the Russian vaccine is highly effective and despite many millions of doses administered all over the world, no reports of severe side effects, the government could have already gone a long way to getting on top of the pandemic by buying it.

Even though the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine (they are not saying which) is far less effective than advertised but still often produce severe side-effects, one would still think if people have been vaccinated could enter Japan for the games.

On the one hand the government is overly cautious about not letting in foreigners but on the other, some bars are still packed on Saturday nights. Doesn't make sense to me.

Pukey2Today  07:47 am JST

jiji XxToday 07:31 am JST

taking a leaf out of New Zealand's book?

Mar. 25 07:12 pm JST Posted in: New Zealand Olympians to get early access to COVID-19 vaccine  See in context

aah, must be great to be a member of the elite.

There's a difference. NZ has by and large contained the pandemic and there are very few cases, so the need for vaccination is not so urgent. And also, NZ athletes will be travelling to an infected country, so they need to be protected, unlike NZers who are staying withing their own borders. Japanese athletes aren't travelling anywhere.

what you say with regard to travelling vs non-travelling athletes is true of course, but the fact remains that the original story said: "early access".... queue-jumping, in other words. if one believes the Olympics are more important than the common people, all well and good. personally I think they are well past their use-by date.

Suga said he will wait for his turn, but got priority to receive the shot. Olympics athletes were not supposed to be prioritized.

In mid-February, Japan launched its vaccination program"

England Dec. 8th

USA Dec. 14th.

You forgot to mention that the USA and UK are hoarding their Vaccine refusing any exports and that in January the EU was still blocking Japan's shipments of Vaccine.

Ah details and facts seem to always be a problem when trying to make a non relevant point.

Third paragraph in and the article is already blaming a foreign company for the Japanese government's inactivity. Yup, it's a Kyodo report.

Facts are facts, Pfizer and the rest are not delivering Vaccine anywhere as promised and add to that the EU blocking exports (see Australia, Canada,Serbia, Turkey, Chile, Mexico, etc...) and it is clear that it is not all just Japan's fault.

There are what, maybe 1,000 Olympic athletes? Vaccinating them won't impact appreciably on the rest of the population. But Japan needs to get the lead out. The way Covid has been spreading these days, I think we're approaching the need for extreme measures.

Just to discuss this is shameful and decadent for a government.

@robert: I guess they believe discussion = action...

Japan considers prioritizing Olympic athletes for COVID-19 vaccination

Wait what

...everyone is saying the Olympics are cancelled again this year...

@Bob Macaroni

Personal attacks are childish Bobby.

One theory that is still being studied through models is that it is best to first vaccinate the potential spreaders over those who are at higher risk. The idea is that it will stop the virus from transmitting through the public much more quickly.

2 moth, 1 Mothra

Those considered most venerable in society must given priority.

Not athletes representing the country at this summer's Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics.

Athletes, are supposed to 'move to the head of the line' in late June. That is almost three months hence. The approximate number of Olympic athletes participating is 500. Which doesn't include coaches and staff.

Suga claimed that 35 million would be inoculated with the vaccine in April. That the entire population would be vaccinated by the end of June. Now, vaccines will be delivered to local governments, by the end of June for individuals 65 and older.

Suga received his first dose March 15th.

Countries with small populations, New Zealand: 5 million. Australia: 25 million. So cited are not apt comparisons to Japan.

The pharmaceutical industry in Japan, is incapable of producing a vaccine. Further, manufacturing a patented vaccine is restricted by the capacity of existing facilities. Nor is any viable company going to ramp-up their facilities for a singular event, by constructing new facilities. The costs are prohibited, along with other important factors, such as it takes years to build production & research facilities.

Losses, if the Olympics are cancelled is estimated at 4.5 trillion yen. A 640 billion yen loss, if the games are held in June. Cause enough to hold the Olympics, however truncated.

For those harping on about vaccine development: 200 COVID-19 vaccines are being developed worldwide, and 23 candidates have advanced to phase III clinical trials (as of 25 March 2021).

Cuba will have its entire population vaccinated by the end of August. Perhaps, Suga should contact Cuba to obtain vaccine. The Red Menace aka China is vaccinated approximately 5 million people a day.

Japan, at best, is a laggard in vaccinating its population.

Mike: trying to claim the moral high ground I see. As you are well aware, I have not attacked you personally. I have just given my opinion, as you do all the time... However, if your arguments had any substance, maybe we could actually address them. Give it a try mike.

I don't see why the EU has to babysit Japan.

Japan would be the same if they'd made a vaccine. In fact, we'd have never heard the end of it. Of course, with the fantasy Japanese vaccine, there'd be no side effects (reported) and no fears from the general public.

So the point you are trying to make is that the world's 3rd economy is incapable of developing and/or licensing a vaccine?

@zoroto, you are spot on as usual.

No big surprize, I think we all saw this coming.

Cuba will have its entire population vaccinated by the end of August. Perhaps, Suga should contact Cuba to obtain vaccine. The Red Menace aka China is vaccinated approximately 5 million people a day.

Cuba has a good track record developing vaccines and distributing them to Latin America. They will likely be the one most Latin Americans get because of their track record and low cost.

While Japan is waiting for Pfizer the Red Chinese are using their massive production capacity to peel away TPAC countries with Vaccine Diplomacy.

@mike: to clarify, you are on record in previous comments having previously exclaimed (in bold) that there would be no way you would ever take the vaccine, blah blah. I would argue that you probably do not really understand the vaccine hence your trepidation. But that is by the by. Above you posted a comment indicating distain for the Japanese government on this position for. I feel you are being a little inconsistent as in your logic and called you out. You are the one who got their knickers in a twist. Take it easy mike :)

So the point you are trying to make is that the world's 3rd economy is incapable of developing and/or licensing a vaccine?

Yes and it has been explained by myself and others why.

You can do read I am not going to explain again because I know you have already been explained to but you keep going on at how everything is always Japan's fault.

When is Tokyo 2020 Olympics ending.

While Japan is waiting for Pfizer the Red Chinese are using their massive production capacity to peel away TPAC countries with Vaccine Diplomacy.

As is India and Russia.

But the difference is these 3 countries do not recognise certain types of patents or certain property rights.

So they can develop and or produce Vaccine and other meds quickly and cheaply.

While countries like Japan are blocked from doing the same because of internal agreements.

Geez, relax folks. Don’t you think it’s important for Olympians to be able to compete safely? They’re competing for Japan after all. How many are we talking- a couple hundred?

Not sure why vaccinations are so slow in Japan, though. In many parts of the U.S., vaccinations are available to all. There could be plenty of extra supply soon and hopefully they can send them to Japan.

Did someone say something about having an Olympics in Tokyo this year???

@Antiquesaving

Still zero sources to back your claim ?

Chile is among the leader in vaccination program :

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/19/world/chile-vaccination-romo-latam-intl/index.html

They get various vaccine, including Pfizzer, thought not sure from UE :

https://www.republicworld.com/world-news/south-america/chile-ramps-up-vaccines-with-large-pfizer-shipment.html

Turkey received more than 10% of its Pfizzer vaccine :

https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/turkey-complete-covid-vaccine-inoculation-may-june-president-recep-tayyip-erdogan-693843

Mexico was informed of delay by Pfizzer because of the upgrade of the plant,it is not the first time a link was posted about the plant problem :

https://www.npr.org/2021/02/09/965703068/mexicos-ambitious-covid-19-vaccination-strategy-falls-into-disarray

Serbia is among the leader in vaccination, it is even donating doses (including Pfizzer) to neighbor countries or illegally smugling these :

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/serbia-donates-pfizer-covid-19-vaccines-north-macedonia-75888427

https://balkaninsight.com/2020/12/29/serbia-accused-of-playing-politics-by-sending-vaccines-to-kosovo/

There is effectively a problem with the Western Balkans as UE, which is also facing difficulties for their own supply, was late in donating the promised vaccine doses but seems it is now in process :

https://www.easternherald.com/2021/02/21/the-countries-of-the-western-balkans-are-waiting-for-the-first-shipments-of-vaccines-cnn/

https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2021/03/29/eu-to-deliver-650000-pfizer-vaccines-to-the-western-balkans-in-april/

So to sumit up : there is delay in production plant in European countries, every countries is affected that include Europe and vaccine are still being exported out of UE.

@Flute

Now look at where Turkey,Chile got the rest of their Vaccine, China and Russia.

Taking the pro Pfizer USA news as a source isn't convincing.

Now look up BBC, APF, and other non pro Pfizer.

Ask why only AZ had gotten bad publicity but even when Pfizer's Vaccine has problems like blood clots, suddenly the USA news goes silent.

China, the US, UK, Cuba, Russia are all doing great using their own vaccines. Sweden was also in on the AstraZeneca vaccine but now even they don't want to use it.

But it's only Sputnik V which is highly effective and safe. Easy to produce, deploy and cheap makes it almost perfect. Even Germany, Austria and France have committed to buying it. What the hell is the Japanese government doing in not making any moves to buy it???? Specially with the Olympics coming up. One would think they could put aside American dictated geopolitical considerations for the benefit of public health and saved money for a few months, but no. Not possible it seems.

I strongly believe that Japan has the capability and it should be one of the largest producer of COVID vaccines, but unfortunately we are having shortages of syringes to administer injects. This is extremely disappointing. Not sure why this is so low on Govt agenda.

If a Athlete gets a shot before my In Laws with underlying conditions, We are all leaving Japan, moving back to Mexico!

@Antiquesaving

Now look at where Turkey,Chile got the rest of their Vaccine, China and Russia.

And ?

Feel free to go demonstrate in front of the Diet to get Japan to sign deal for these.

Taking the pro Pfizer USA news as a source isn't convincing.

So the 8 article coming from 8 different news provider are all pro Pfizer USA, please enjoy another pro Pfizzer USA article :

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/10/world/europe/eu-exports-covid-vaccine.html

when Pfizer's Vaccine has problems like blood clots

Source please.

I found no reference of it in BBC, just the usual about allergy :

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-55056016

I understand the thinking here but I do not like it.

It suggests that Japanese athletes are at risk from contact with other athletes and staff entering from outside Japan. These people will presumably be tested etc. but are ultimately being allowed in during a time of restrictions on travel to Japan. If they pose a risk to Japanese athletes, then they must also pose a risk to other Japanese, not least the cleaners etc. at the Olympic village. These other Japanese will not be vaccinated in time.

This pin-the-risk-on-the-foreigners angle is the most likely, but even if we spin it so the athletes are at risk from other Japanese due to unavoidable breaches of social distancing, then the only conclusion is that this is not the time for large gatherings like the Olympics.

Prioritizing young athlete above your elderly population is extremely hypocrite and cruel.

But truth is that the LDP cares only about the image that they give to the world and the money.

Little they care about their local population and the people living and paying their income with the taxes.

What a pity.

Consider.......consider....think about......create a committee to do more considering........maybe.......maybe not........what should we do........hmmmm..........consider again........hmmmm.....

Or how about they vaxx anyone at this point?

Geez, relax folks. Don’t you think it’s important for Olympians to be able to compete safely? They’re competing for Japan after all. How many are we talking- a couple hundred?

You are talking to people who didn't want the Olympics in the first place and have been complaining since 2013.

All this guy does is think about me. I guess I should be flattered.

@Bob Macaroni

@mike: to clarify, you are on record in previous comments having previously exclaimed (in bold) that there would be no way you would ever take the vaccine, blah blah. I would argue that you probably do not really understand the vaccine hence your trepidation. But that is by the by. Above you posted a comment indicating distain for the Japanese government on this position for. I feel you are being a little inconsistent as in your logic and called you out. You are the one who got their knickers in a twist. Take it easy mike :)

this is beyond disbelief!

Unbelievable. Where does that logically lead to? The rest of us non-elite gets only yellow stickers and a final train ticket or so?

This is wrong in so many ways.

Why would anyone ever trust anything put out by Putin's government? They've only proven themselves to be liars. To trust their vaccine, you'd have to trust their information. Is anyone stupid enough to trust Putin's Russia?

You don't need to believe Putin. Just believe the science and stop politicizing everything.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00234-8/fulltext

Japan considers prioritizing Olympic athletes for COVID-19 vaccination

This is so wrong. Japan has already quite dragged its feet for the vaccination since it insisted for doing its own trials, and now Japan wants to continue for being late in vaccinating the vulnerable population. It needs to first vaccine that population, not healthy athletes. Since they continue to be so incompetent in the vaccination, they are going to be less and less legitimate on imposing COVID-19 related restrictions on people.

Utterly disgraceful and completely unacceptable.

Wait, so this means that Japan is actually going to start vaccinating some of its citizens against Covid-19?

Japan considers prioritizing Olympic athletes for COVID-19 vaccination

Pure politics. Young healthy people (and you wont find an Olympic athlete who does not fit in that category) are the last ones who need a vaccine against an infection that they wont even notice. But yes, for political reason that decision is probably necessary.

I do not understand why Japan is so far behind the US in vaccinating the public. What is more important than keeping the public safe?

P. Smith

Yeah! Never mind the fact that they may be infected and spread it.

Infected with no symptoms and spreading it to others no symptoms. Your point?

Infected with no symptoms and spreading it to others no symptoms. Your point?

Um, the problem with this virus from the start is that people spread it asymptomatically, and some of the people they spread it to die.

That's the point.

But I keep forgetting that they've told you this virus is nothing in your right wing bubble, and that right-wingers are too stupid to listen to scientists.

Vaccines don't guarantee you won't get it.

Vaccines don't guarantee you won't transmit it.

The "experts" say we will still need to wear a mask and social distance even if we get the vaccine.

These are "experimental" vaccines that haven't undergone rigorous animal and human safety testing due to their being fast-tracked.

These "Messenger RNA" shots have never been widely used, so their safely and efficacy are unknown.

Vaccines manufacturers are not legally responsible if a patient experiences an adverse reaction, including death.

This "disease" has a 99.97% survival rate.

So, would someone care to tell me why anyone in their right mind would get this vaccine?

Vaccines don't guarantee you won't get it.

Vaccines don't guarantee you won't transmit it.

In medicine nothing is guaranteed, that does not mean it is much safer to vaccinate than not doing it, which is the whole point.

The "experts" say we will still need to wear a mask and social distance even if we get the vaccine.

Until spreading is controlled and herd immunity is reached, which of course will come faster the more people is immunized.

These are "experimental" vaccines that haven't undergone rigorous animal and human safety testing due to their being fast-tracked.

That is false, all the vaccines that were allowed to be use for the public have clear and definitive data on both animal and human trials, the trials were NOT rushed and have been done before on the same time scale for other vaccines that were in use for humans for years without problem.

And of course they are no longer experimental, they are used for their therapeutic value, not to collect data from the people.

Vaccines manufacturers are not legally responsible if a patient experiences an adverse reaction, including death.

Yes, they are, the only thing they are not subjected is to direct particular lawsuits because the government absorbs that risk and makes it much simpler to pay damages, even if there is no real relationship with the vaccine. All other forms of liability are still there for the manufacturers.

This "disease" has a 99.97% survival rate.

That is false and widely debunked as completely incorrect data by the scientific community.

So, would someone care to tell me why anyone in their right mind would get this vaccine?

Mostly? because all your information is false/misleading/incorrect.

Had the authorities been vaccinating with AZ for the last 2 months instead of messing around with testing it on the "unique" Japanese physiology, this latest 4th wave would probably not have kicked off.

Instead, a 2-month head start would have at least protected some from infection with the new variant. And remember, EVERY new infection is a Petri dish for the virus to "experiment" with new variants, something this group of virii is very good at.

And there are still 3 more days until the next batch of Pfizer vaccine arrives, IF it does. Then it has to be distributed at –70°C, the application system, which is by telephone (good luck with getting thru to make a booking) and not online, has to work, and people have to turn up. Most of the older 37 million high-risk group won't get the first shot (let alone the second shot) until mid-June unless the antiquated booking system manages 500,000 a day (37 million/0.5 million = 74 days and 74 days from April 12 is mid-June). And, at the present rate of success with under a million medics vaccinated in 6 weeks, I don't see 500,000 a day being realistically achievable here.

I think this Suga LDP government has really dropped the ball and some people will die as a result.

I do not understand why Japan is so far behind the US in vaccinating the public. What is more important than keeping the public safe?

Sometimes being behind is a good thing; e.g. jumping off a cliff.

This "disease" has a 99.97% survival rate.

That is false and widely debunked as completely incorrect data by the scientific community.

No, you are mistaken.

With all ages included, the survival rate is around 99.97%. For Olympic athletes, it must be extremely low.

In Japan, nobody below 20 has died from covid; only 3 in their 20's and 18 in their 30's have died. But I suspect they were not athletes....

Sometimes being behind is a good thing; e.g. jumping off a cliff.

Being the last to jump a low "cliff" that represents no danger, and failing to escape from the real danger is not a good thing.

No, you are mistaken.

With all ages included, the survival rate is around 99.97%. For Olympic athletes, it must be extremely low.

Imaginary numbers are not an argument, you have been repeatedly asked for a source for this imaginary statistic and you always reply that we should trust you because you are the only one that can look at it. Sorry but that is not valid.

 Japan, nobody below 20 has died from covid; only 3 in their 20's and 18 in their 30's have died. But I suspect they were not athletes....

Suspicions without clear evidence are not an argument, it would be like suspecting that 100 times more young people have died, just not detected as COVID.

virusrex

Until spreading is controlled and herd immunity is reached, which of course will come faster the more people is immunized.

There is no scientific basis for this statement. "Herd Immunity" is not achieved through intervention (vaccine, etc.) rather it happens naturally when enough people get the virus, develop antigens and become immune to it. To say that "immunizations" create it is incorrect. And, as mentioned, even the manufacturers of these "vaccines" admit that it doesn't make anyone immune to anything, rather it might help lessen the severity of the symptoms.

"all the vaccines that were allowed to be use for the public have clear and definitive data on both animal and human trials, the trials were NOT rushed and have been done before on the same time scale for other vaccines that were in use for humans for years without problem."

Incorrect. These vaccines were given special approval or Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) before late stage clinical trials were complete. Look up the article "Past vaccine disasters show why rushing a coronavirus vaccine now would be 'colossally stupid"

Yes, they are, the only thing they are not subjected is to direct particular lawsuits because the government absorbs that risk and makes it much simpler to pay damages, even if there is no real relationship with the vaccine. All other forms of liability are still there for the manufacturers.

It appears that you need to read up on liability regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. While entities engaged in the manufacture, distribution, and administration of most routine vaccinations are accustomed to the liability protections afforded by the 1986 Vaccine Act, the scope of liability for claims relating to the COVID-19 vaccine will be governed by PREP Act protections for Covered Countermeasures, whose broad immunities extend well beyond the bounds of Vaccine Act protections.

That is false and widely debunked as completely incorrect data by the scientific community.

Oh, really? Easy to say, not to so easy to back up with anything of substance.

Antiquesaving

Facts are facts, Pfizer and the rest are not delivering Vaccine anywhere as promised and add to that the EU blocking exports (see Australia, Canada,Serbia, Turkey, Chile, Mexico, etc...) and it is clear that it is not all just Japan's fault.

Can you please stop spreading misinformation? By late March there have been 491 export requests in the EU of which 483 were granted, 7 are under review and only one was rejected (one delivery of 250.000 doses AstraZeneca because their are not fulfilling their contractual obligation). There have been delays but unlike your claims there has in fact only been one rejected request. Overall around 77 million doses have been shipped to 33 countries while about 88 million remained in the EU.

The main point is that if there was enough vaccines and infrastructure to vaccinate everybody there would not be anything wrong with vaccinating olympic athletes, but at this point the delivery of vaccines in Japan is severely compromised and delayed, so ethically it is not justified to prioritize participants of a sports event above members of the vulnerable population, even if it is on the name of herd immunity.

There is no scientific basis for this statement.

Yes there is, very clear, vaccination is actually the preferred way to reach it.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/preventing-the-spread-of-the-coronavirus

https://www.webmd.com/lung/what-is-herd-immunity#1

All vaccines accepted for use in the public are no longer experimental, both clinical and preclinical trials have long surpassed the evaluation of the primary endpoint, companies are perfectly liable against defective or deceiving products, in all ways except the one that the government absorbed.

Oh, really? Easy to say, not to so easy to back up with anything of substance.

No, it is actually very easy to prove.

https://fullfact.org/online/covid-19-survival-rate-less-998/

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/verify-twitter-posts-not-depicting-accurate-covid-survival-rates/507-7c42380c-fe30-430e-86ba-a356fc3e7789

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2020/12/26/perspective-on-bad-99-covid-19-survival-rate-arguments-using-weather/?sh=3fbced7c138b

Man! Hypocrisy at its finest! If they do that, then we definitely know for sure what the real interest lies. The more reason to boycott the Olympics. I hope Biden and Trudeau know this and other disturbing Olympic issues. This really makes my blood boil.