[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Local governments in Japan are repeatedly suspending new COVID-19 vaccination appointments due to a shortage in vaccine supply.
According to the Asahi Shimbun on the 3rd, Osaka City decided not to accept first-dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments for those aged 60 and over starting from the 12th. Previously, Kobe City and Chiba City also announced the suspension of vaccination appointments for the elderly.
Additionally, Yamagata City stopped individual clinic vaccination appointments from the 25th of last month, and Nagatsugawa City and Kakamigahara City have suspended group vaccination appointments. These local governments have been administering the Pfizer vaccine.
The repeated suspension of vaccination appointments by Japanese local governments is due to a shortage in COVID-19 vaccine supply. According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Pfizer vaccine supply for the two weeks starting from the 19th of last month is expected to be only 30% of the amount requested by local governments.
Ichiro Matsui, mayor of Osaka City, also stated, "We cannot forecast the supply volume of Pfizer vaccines after August," adding, "There is a possibility that the second dose for the elderly may not be administered."
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