This file photo shows syringes for vaccines. (Mainichi)

       YUKUHASHI, Fukuoka -- The city government here has mistakenly sent coronavirus vaccine coupons to 41 newborns, instead of the 12-year-olds they were originally intended for, the city announced on Nov. 11.

       According to the municipal government, the coupons were supposed to be sent to 12-year-old residents born between Oct. 2 and Nov. 1, 2009, but they were instead mailed to 41 infants born in the same period this year.

       The mishap occurred after officials entered the year "Reiwa 3-nen" (2021) -- the third year of the current Reiwa Imperial era -- instead of "Heisei 21-nen" (2009) -- the 21st year of the preceding Heisei era -- into the coupon issuing system.

       After the blunder surfaced, city officials apologized to the parents of the newborns.

       (Japanese original by Masaki Matsumoto, Yukuhashi Resident Bureau)

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