A vial of the Moderna Inc. coronavirus vaccine is seen in the Miyagi Prefecture capital of Sendai on May 24, 2021. (Mainichi/Daisuke Wada)

       TOKYO -- The Japanese health ministry is considering partially lifting the ban on using different types of COVID-19 vaccines for the first and second doses, which is expected to apply to people who developed serious side effects including anaphylaxis after the first jab.

       The three types of coronavirus vaccines used in Japan are those created by U.S. pharmaceuticals firms Pfizer Inc. and Moderna Inc. and British company AstraZeneca PLC. The Immunization Act stipulates that the same type of vaccine should be used for the first and second doses, meaning those who experienced serious side effects like anaphylaxis, a systemic allergic reaction, after the first jab couldn't choose a different type for the second injection.

       There are cases in other countries where mixing and matching COVID vaccines are permitted for people who cannot receive the same type the second time due to a side effect from the first dose.

       Regarding the coronavirus vaccine, moves to receive a third dose to sustain immunity are expanding overseas. The United States is considering to implement such a plan starting with people who have completed their second jab eight months ago. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare plans to hold a specialized subcommittee meeting within this week to discuss third injections of vaccines based on cases in the U.S. and other countries.

       (Japanese original by Sooryeon Kim, Lifestyle and Medical News Department)

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