The Japanese government will allow hospitals to administer Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine with insulin syringes that produce seven doses per vial, instead of the previous five or six, Health Minister Norihisa Tamura announced on Tuesday.
Such a decision could accelerate the implementation of Japan’s immunization program. There are concerns in the country about the timely delivery of vaccines, related to delays in production at the Belgian Pfizer factory and the export control mechanism introduced by the EU, writes the Kyodo agency.
Last week, the Uji-Tokushukai Medical Center in Kyoto Prefecture announced that insulin syringes with less fluid left after an injection would allow for seven doses per vial. Taro Kono, the minister overseeing the immunization program, said the government would consider procuring additional syringes of this type.
- An open vial of vaccine must be used within six hours. Why?
The Ministry of Health previously approved a syringe developed by Terumo Corp., which also allows for seven doses per vial. The company intends to manufacture 20 million such syringes in a year from April, Kyodo reported, citing anonymous sources.
Japan began the vaccination program in mid-February, and the first group of 40. healthcare professionals, Pfizer was given using special syringes that allow the injection of six doses per vial. On the other hand, vaccination of another group of medical workers, numbering a total of 4,8 million people, began in March and is carried out with more widely available syringes, enabling the administration of five doses from a vial.
Read also:
- Brazilian variant. Up to 100 out of 60 survivors may become infected again
- This variant is more contagious and attacks the young more often
- A sharp increase in the sale of medicinal leeches. Help after COVID-19?
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.Now you can use e-consultation also free of charge under the National Health Fund.