Japan could see first use of Pfizer vaccine in February

The rollout of coronavirus vaccinations could start as early as February, after U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc. applied to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry for approval of its vaccine on Friday. The approval process typically takes about one year, but the government revised relevant ordinances in May to fast-track the process for drugs related to the novel coronavirus under a special approval system.

Pfizer has applied for special approval of the vaccine and has submitted data to the ministry, including from overseas clinical trials.

The special approval process has been applied in three past cases. Two vaccines from overseas companies that were submitted during an influenza epidemic after 2009 were approved within two to three months; and COVID-19 treatment remdesivir, which was submitted in May and approved in three days.

“We want to proceed with the review promptly,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato said on Friday, regarding Pfizer’s application for approval. “As soon as the application has been approved, we will start vaccinating medical personnel, who are in the highest priority group, and prepare to gradually expand the vaccination program.”

The vaccine, which was jointly developed by Pfizer and German firm BioNTech SE, is made by artificially synthesizing genetic material of the coronavirus in the form of messenger

RNA ( mRNA). The genetic material produces a protein of the coronavirus that helps the body of people who have been inoculated fight the infection.

SHOTS FOR 10,000 MEDICAL WORKERS

The health ministry plans to allow about 10,000 medical workers to begin getting vaccinated against the novel coronavirus as early as late February, giving them priority, while aiming to set up a vaccination system for the elderly by late March, according to a draft timetable presented Friday.

According to the draft, presented at a closed-door online briefing for local governments, about 10,000 medical workers who are directly involved in the treatment of coronavirus patients will be vaccinated first.

The vaccination scheme will be set up between late February and early March.

The preparations for vaccinating the next target group, about 3 million general medical workers, is expected to be completed by the end of March.

For securing the scheme, local governments are expected to provide staffing and an adequate system for the printing and issuance of vaccination coupons, in addition to coordination with medical institutions.

For the elderly, estimated to number 30 million to 40 million people, a system will be established between late March and early April.

The vaccination system for people other than the elderly who have underlying diseases will be ready in April or after, according to the draft timeline.

In reality, however, vaccinations will be affected by the amount and timing of the vaccine supply. (Dec. 20)