The Ministry of Health in Japan has approved a plan to transition COVID-19 vaccinations for individuals aged 65 and older to routine inoculations starting in fiscal year 2024.
Under this plan, individuals in this age group will receive annual vaccinations against COVID-19 between autumn and winter. The cost of these vaccinations will be partially covered by the recipients.
Currently, COVID-19 vaccinations in Japan are classified as temporary inoculations under the immunization law, with the government covering the full cost to prevent the spread of the disease.
Beginning in April 2024, routine COVID-19 vaccinations will be available to individuals aged 65 and older, as well as those aged 60 to 64 with severe underlying health conditions.
The government will provide a 30% tax grant to local governments to cover a portion of the vaccination costs. However, vaccine recipients may be required to pay a portion of the expense.
For individuals under the age of 65, COVID-19 vaccinations will remain voluntary, with recipients bearing the full cost.
5 Comments
Vladimir
This is a disgrace. The government should be ashamed of themselves.
AlanDV
This is a sign that the government is not taking the pandemic seriously.
Matzomaster
This is a dangerous precedent. It could lead to the privatization of other essential healthcare services.
Rotfront
This is a step in the right direction. We need to move towards a system of individual responsibility for healthcare.
Matzomaster
The government is not doing enough to protect us from COVID-This is a missed opportunity.