Junichi Wakabayashi, a city assemblyman in Usuki, Oita Prefecture, who was given a stern warning for distributing flyers to children, is seen at the Usuki Municipal Government building on Sept. 14, 2021. (Mainichi/Chikashi Eto)

       USUKI, Oita -- A municipal assembly member was handed a stern warning on Sept. 14 in this southwestern Japan city after handing out flyers to children while not wearing a mask urging the suspension of coronavirus vaccinations to minors.

       According to the assembly's secretariat and others, between late August and early September, Junichi Wakabayashi distributed flyers around junior high schools and train stations in Usuki that were prepared by a group that has been collecting signatures calling for the suspension of vaccinations for children.

       The flyer contained claims such as "Is it really necessary?" "Is there any merit in vaccinating minors?" and "The effectiveness in preventing infections is unknown." The city government and the assembly office received a series of complaints, saying, "Children are scared," and so on.

       Wakabayashi, 61, told reporters, "Even if children are infected, they do not become seriously ill. On the other hand, the long-term safety of vaccines is unknown. It is up to parents to decide whether or not to have their children receive vaccines, but I wanted to convey the necessary information."

       Dr. Toru Takata, professor of infection control at Fukuoka University Hospital, said, "The vaccine has been shown to be effective in preventing serious conditions. There is also data from overseas showing that the frequency and severity of aftereffects of infection improves even in young people."

       (Japanese original by Chikashi Eto, Saiki Local Bureau, and Yu Yoshizumi, Kyushu News Department)

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