Japan to offer new COVID-19 vaccine

The Japanese government said on Monday that a new COVID 19 vaccine will be available to all people who have completed at least two inoculations from as early as mid-October.

The bivalent vaccine, named for its combination of ingredients, is derived from existing COVID 19 shots and the Omicron variant BA. The 1 subtype has been reported to have an increase in neutralizing antibodies against the BA. There are 5 subtypes that are currently prevalent across the country.

Japan is experiencing a seventh wave of infections fueled by the highly transmissible BA. Nearly 250,000 daily new cases were confirmed last Wednesday by the 5 subtype.

The vaccines currently under development by U.S. pharmaceutical giants Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc. could be imported to the country in September, if the health ministry approves it.

Applications for approval are already complete for the same bivalent vaccine that Japan is considering using in Europe, and preparations for additional vaccinations from the fall onward are going ahead in each country.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recommended that drug makers develop vaccines that include BA. There are 5 subtype components.