Japan approves first covid vaccine ahead of Olympics

Japan’s Health Ministry has approved Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine as the Summer Olympic Games begin in July 2021.

The approval marks the first in the country as this step took over the fight against pandemics.

Japan is now likely to put the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in the arms of 10,000 to 20,000 medical workers from as early as Wednesday, before making it and other coronavirus vaccines available for more medical workers and the elderly from April.

Moreover, the government plans to get enough vaccine doses for its populace of around 126 million by mid-year.

After Japan’s third and most fatal wave of the virus hit late last year, many areas in the country are still under lockdown.

Olympics officials have insisted that the Tokyo Games will take place even though Covid-19 continues to affect the entire world.

Athletes and other participants will be encouraged, but not obliged, to be vaccinated to take part.