COVID-19 vaccine syringes ready for administration are seen in this photo. (Mainichi/Koichiro Tezuka)

       TAKATORI, Nara -- Officials in this west Japan town finally decided on Sept. 16 to open a probe into a possible case of a coronavirus vaccine syringe being mistakenly reused during local mass inoculations on July 11.

       On the date in question, 222 syringes were prepared, the same number as that of people who came to the Takatori health center for inoculations, but one containing vaccine solution was left over. Despite the possibility a used syringe was reused, the Takatori Municipal Government did not investigate the case. Municipal assembly demands for a swift response on Sept. 16 have finally brought about the decision to conduct infectious disease and antibody tests on people vaccinated that day.

       According to the municipal government, under the procedures at the time, following a preliminary exam a sticker was placed on each person's form prior to actual vaccination. The stickers indicated they had been inoculated, and all 222 stickers were later confirmed. However, after an unused syringe was discovered, a nurse in charge of vaccine administration rejected the possibility one of the other syringes was reused. The town office therefore deemed it highly possible an individual received a sticker but left the site without getting a shot, and it reportedly decided to observe the situation.

       The municipal assembly announced on Sept. 16 that a council attended by all assembly members approved the Sept. 21 establishment of a review committee.

       (Japanese original by Honsu Kan, Kashihara Resident Bureau)

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