TOKYO (REUTERS) - The Japanese government is working on starting Covid-19 vaccine booster shots by year-end, deputy chief Cabinet secretary Yoshihiko Isozaki said at a news conference on Tuesday (Oct 12).
Mr Isozaki added that details such as who would get booster shots first and how they would be administered are currently under discussion by experts.
"We would like to ensure that the roll-out of the booster shots is done seamlessly, based on the advice of experts," he said.
The statement comes amid increased interest in booster shots as more of Japan's population get vaccinated.
New Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told Parliament earlier on Tuesday that he plans to have the booster shots publicly funded.
The health ministry also announced last Friday that Pfizer will supply Japan with another 120 million Covid-19 vaccine doses from January 2022.
As at Tuesday, some 74 per cent of Japan's population had received their first shot, and about 65 per cent are fully vaccinated, according to broadcaster NHK.
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