As new variant strains of COVID-19 dominate and vaccine uptake levels drop, the government announces plans to discard approximately 240 million unused COVID-19 vaccine doses. The decision comes as the government recently concluded its free vaccination program for COVID-19 at the end of the previous month.
Efforts under Vaccination Campaigns and unused Vaccines
After the launch of the vaccination rollout in February 2021, the government offered 436.2 million doses by the end of the campaign; most of the elderly were administered the maximum dose of seven. Yet, as one of the global leaders in purchasing agreements with 928.4 million doses committed, cancelling approximately 200 million doses in contracts, nearly 18 million doses that were purchased since the start of last summer will be up for disposal because they did not get to the expiry date.
Manufacturer Breakdown
These are celebrated because they account for about 79% of the total COVID-19 vaccine doses that were administered in the US by Pfizer Inc., which amounts to about 342.8 million doses. Moderna shot candidates after Pfizer was used so that the total number of doses up to 92.9 million is received, thereafter.
Unused Domestic Vaccines
The COVID-19 vaccination campaign launched by Daiichi Sankyo Co. will cover the first domestically manufactured jab that was only slightly accepted among the public. Although the government purchased 1.4 million doses, only a few fractions, i.e., 70,000 doses, were jabbed.
Future Vaccination Plans
Preliminary vaccinations are to commence in early September, aimed at persons above 65 with the most initial immunizations within this older age group. To make the treatment affordable for everyone, the price per individual is to be limited to ¥7,000. In addition, individuals over 60 years of age will waive any share of the cost of being vaccinated, whereas those who select to be vaccinated will be required to fully pay for the service.As the government phases to the subsequent stage of its vaccination campaign, vaccine wastage, not to mention the parity in equal access, is still a matter of bane among public health discussions.
