Japan starts new COVID-19 vaccination program

Japan began a new coronavirus vaccination program on Wednesday aiming at all residents aged six months or older in its effort to counteract an expected rise in cases during the winter. The vaccines used in the program are designed to provide protection against the XBB-related subvariants of the Omicron coronavirus.

Residents who want to get vaccinated need to get tickets from their local governments. They can receive a Pfizer or Moderna shot at hospitals and other venues.  The government in May downgraded the legal status of the virus to the same category as seasonal influenza. The health ministry has introduced an extraordinary measure to keep coronavirus vaccinations free of charge until the end of fiscal year 2023.