Japan’s PM calls Pfizer chief to ask for extra supplies of coronavirus vaccine

JAPAN’S Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has asked Pfizer for additional supplies of the Covid-19 vaccine to speed up an inoculation drive that lags behind many other countries.

Mr Suga, after holding talks with US President Joe Biden at the White House, wrapped up his Washington visit with a phone call to Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla.

Taro Kono, a Cabinet minister tasked with vaccinations, told a Japanese TV talk show yesterday the two sides have “practically reached an agreement” over the vaccines.

Mr Suga asked the Pfizer boss for additional supplies that would cover all eligible recipients by September, as well as to ensure the stable and prompt delivery of the continuing vaccine shipments.

Mr Burla is said to have told the Japanese leader that Pfizer planned to closely coordinate with the government in Tokyo to discuss the requests.

Japan, with its domestic vaccine development still in early stages, has to rely on imports and has signed agreements with Pfizer, Astrazeneca and Moderna, though the Pfizer jab is the only one the country has approved so far.

Japan’s government says it has secured 314 million doses, including 144 million from Pfizer, which is enough to cover its entire population by the end of this year.

Inoculations started in mid-february and have covered less than 1 per cent of the population, with the process hampered by the shortage of vaccines amid export controls by the European Union.

Addressing concerns about the shortage of medical workers administering the jabs, the government recently revised a law to recruit nurses who have retired or are on leave to temporarily help with the vaccinations.

The rise in cases has led the government to issue an alert status for Tokyo and nine other urban prefectures. It has also fuelled doubts about whether or how the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled from July 23 until August 8, can go ahead.