COVID-19 vaccination in Japan
COVID-19 vaccination in Japan started later than in most other major economies. The country has frequently been regarded as "slow" in its vaccination efforts. Japan has so far approved Pfizer–BioNTech, Moderna and Oxford–AstraZeneca for use. In early October 2021, data from the government shows that 60.9% of people have had their second dose, while 71.3% have received first shot. Today, 79 percent of Japanese people have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine; 20 percent have received a third (booster) dose. Background On 14 February 2021, Pfizer was approved by the government of Japan, and was deployed on 17 February 2021. On 28 May 2021, Pfizer was approved by the Japanese health ministry panel for adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years. On 21 May 2021, Moderna and Astrazeneca were approved by the government of Japan. Vaccines on order Note: Japan has donated 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Taiwan and 1 million doses to Vietnam. There are plans to send additional 2 million doses to these countries. Japan has also donated 1 million doses each to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Japan also donates over 2 million doses of AstraZeneca Vaccine to Iran through COVAX. Vaccines in