Japan ‘s bitter vaccine history creates a stumbling block in the fight against COVID-19

With agreements to get more coronavirus vaccines than it needs and legislation to distribute it for free, it may seem like Japan has inoculation plans. But public history is tight with vaccines and a careful approval process about how quickly the country can return to normal.

One of the lowest levels of vaccine confidence in Japan, according to a Lancet study, which found that less than 30% of people strongly agreed that vaccines were safe, important and effective, compared to co. at least 50% of Americans. A recent poll by NHK found that 36% said they did not want to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

The government is now embarking on a difficult balancing act: trying to act swiftly to allow the jobs to bring the economy back to full health, while avoiding its creating a scene of rush work – which could help turn an already skeptical public out of reach.

“Japan is very cautious about vaccines, because historically there have been questions about possible side effects,” said Haruka Sakamoto, a public health researcher at the University of Tokyo. “The government has been involved in a number of lawsuits related to the case, which adds to their deep warning.”

Careful timeline

The skeptical view goes back to the West’s latest “anti-vax” idea that has succeeded on social media, with its roots instead in events related to vaccinations and legal regulation that encouraged the government to stand firm. in terms of vaccines.

And ironically, Japan’s relative success in treating the pandemic means that the spread of the bullet is not as urgent a priority. The country has avoided a second state of crisis, even as things have escalated to higher levels.

As a result, Japan’s transmission is expected to be slower than some other countries, leading to frustration among those who are counting on vaccines to eradicate the virus. Only Pfizer Inc. has so far applied for local approval for his coronavirus imaging, even as both the UK and US have dispensed more than half a million doses, mostly to the elderly and care workers Cheers.

Local media have reported that vaccines will be introduced in Japan from the end of February, when the government aims to protect about 10,000 frontline health care workers. The ministry then prepares to vaccinate general medical staff, after which it is gradually given to the general public. Japan has not said when it plans to complete its vaccination program.

Ginza shopping district in Tokyo.  Japan's skeptical outlook for vaccines is ahead of the latest Western era
Ginza shopping district in Tokyo. Japan’s skeptical view of vaccines goes beyond the latest “anti-vax” idea that has been successful on social media. | AP

While figures like U.S. Vice President Mike Pence and President Joe Biden have received the dose, and leaders like Indonesia President Joko Widodo voluntarily become the first to receive e in their countries, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has said he will wait for his turn.

Health minister Norihisa Tamura said on Friday that he has asked relevant groups to prioritize the study of Pfizer’s application, but did not give a timeline for approval. A health ministry spokesman also declined to comment on the reported timeline.

MMR cases

The root of modern Japanese vaccination is rooted in the ingestion of measles, mumps and rubella which some suspected of following high levels of aseptic meningitis in the early 1990s. Although a definitive link has not been established, the images have been suspended, and to this day Japan does not recommend a combined MMR bullet.

Another catalyst was a court ruling in 1992 that not only blamed the government for any side effects associated with vaccines, but also that adverse effects would be considered as adverse events, Tetsuo Nakayama said, professor at the Kitasato Institute for Life Sciences. focus on vaccines. Two years later, the government revised vaccine law, abolishing mandatory vaccinations.

These events helped send a message that inoculations should be taken at your own risk, and reduced awareness of vaccination as a greater public benefit, said Mikihito Tanaka, a professor at Waseda University who specifically communicates science.

“Japan has a strong health insurance scheme and an affordable medical system,” he said. “Compared to places like the USA, that boosts the health of his game with a very low new vaccine. ”

The treatment of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine also enriches the public memory. Following media coverage of claims that the side effects of the vaccine included headache and severe seizures, the health ministry in 2013 withdrew its recommendation for the retrospective, which has been safe and effective. in the prevention of breast cancer. While still available on demand, the vaccine rate has fallen from 70% to less than 1% at present. That could lead to an additional 5,700 deaths, according to one study.

‘Extensive displays’

Japan’s drug approval requires clinical trials involving Japanese people, but emergency licensing based on data from other countries is allowed. Vaccines for the 2009 H1N1 flu pandemic received emergency approval after about three months.

However, the government needs to carefully regulate how the public perceives a speedy approval process. The economic impact of the pandemic and the upcoming Tokyo Olympics could encourage a more rapid agreement, but also raise doubts as to whether the scenes have been studied in detail.

There is also concern about how the public perceives some of the usual side effects, Nakayama said. Initial data from the vaccines show local pain in 80% of cases and fatigue and headache in up to 50%, but “there has never been a vaccine in Japan that has caused reactions to the those levels, ”he said. The issue raises questions because, ultimately, it is the public opinion that determines the extent of the outbreak.

“It is up to the people to make the final decision on whether or not to get vaccinated,” health minister Tamura said on Friday.

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