Japanese Government Signs Official Contract with Pfizer to Import 72 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Within the Year

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yu Je-hoon] On the 20th, NHK reported that the Japanese government has agreed to receive 72 million doses of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine from the American pharmaceutical company Phizar within this year.

According to the report, Norihisa Tamura (田村憲久), Japan's Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, announced to reporters in the evening that a formal contract had been signed to supply 72 million doses (144 million shots) of the Phizar vaccine within this year, pending domestic approval for use.

Minister Tamura emphasized, "We will continue to cooperate and make efforts to ensure smooth provision of the vaccine," adding, "We ask for the supply so that as many people as possible can be vaccinated by the first half of this year."