A vaccine for the Omicron strain of the new corona.
How was your vaccination?
When I asked people in the town, some said, "I got vaccinated early so that it wouldn't get worse," while others said, "I didn't want to get vaccinated because I had a bad fever last time." is.
As the number of infected people continues to increase, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is working to finish vaccination for those who want it within the year.
What is the vaccination rate so far?
What is the latest information on effects and side effects?
Summarized in Q&A.
(Updated with information as of December 19)
Q.Is vaccination against Omicron progressing?
A. According to the latest data released by the government on December 19, 37,582,513 people were vaccinated, and the vaccination rate was 37,582,513. It was 29.8% of the total population.
Of these, only 17,598,399 people aged 65 and over have been vaccinated, with a vaccination rate of 49%.
The government is aiming to inoculate 1 million times a day, but although there are days when the number of times of vaccination on Saturday exceeds 1 million times, the average weekday in December is about 670,000 times as of December 19th. It is
The vaccination rate by age group is as follows.
▽ 100 years old and over 33.79%
▽ 90s 42.07%
▽ 80s 50.49%
▽ 70s 51.55%
▽ 65-69 years old 44.07
% ▽ 60-64 years old 38.84%
▽ 50s 38.75%
▽ 40s 25.32%
▽ 30s 18.10%
▽ 20's 14.66%
▽ 12-19 years old 16.38%
70's and 80's exceed 50%, but it can be seen that the vaccination rate of the younger generation is particularly sluggish.
Q. How effective is the vaccine?
A vaccine for the A. omicron strain has been shown to be effective in preventing the onset of "BA.5" as a result of analyzes conducted in Japan and overseas.
Furthermore, experts say that it can be expected to be effective in preventing the severity of new mutated viruses such as the "BQ.1" strain, which is feared to spread in the future.
《Effect on “BA.5”》
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases announced the results of an analysis of the effects of vaccines on people who visited medical institutions from September to November, as infections with "BA.5" were the mainstream.
About 4,000 people aged 16 and over who were tested for the new coronavirus at 10 medical institutions in the Kanto region compared the vaccination history of those who tested positive and those who tested negative, and compared the vaccination history of those who tested positive and those who tested negative. 71% of those who received the Omicron strain vaccine after receiving two or more doses of the vaccine were protected against the disease.
In addition, the CDC = American Center for Disease Control analyzed the effect of the vaccine for the Omicron strain using data from September to November this year.
As a result, the effect of preventing the onset of Omicron strain vaccine when more than 8 months have passed since vaccination of the conventional vaccine was as follows.
▽18-49 years old 56%
▽50-64 years old 48%
▽65 years old and over 43%
《Effects on the “BQ.1” system》
Reports have also begun to appear on the effects of vaccines for Omicron strains against new mutated viruses such as the "BQ.1" lineage, which are feared to spread in the future.
In addition, a pharmaceutical company that manufactures and sells the "messenger RNA vaccine" has announced data that a vaccine for the Omicron strain can be expected to be effective for the "BQ.1" strain.
According to Pfizer, as a result of a survey of people aged 55 and over, the value of neutralizing antibody against "BQ.1.1" increased 8.7 times after receiving an additional vaccine corresponding to "BA.5", while the conventional vaccine It is said that the vaccine corresponding to the Omicron strain is more effective, assuming that it was 1.8 times after the additional vaccination.
Moderna also announced that a vaccine compatible with "BA.5" also showed strong neutralizing activity against "BQ.1.1".
On the other hand, some studies suggest that vaccines may be less effective.
According to a study published in December in the scientific journal Cell by groups including Columbia University in the United States, neutralization of three doses of a conventional vaccine followed by an additional dose of a vaccine for the Omicron strain The antibody value for "BQ.1.1" was 1/41 compared to the value for the conventional virus.
The group said, ``Although it may be easier to be infected, it continues to be shown that it is possible to reduce the severity of the disease and reduce the risk of sequelae.''
Expert “Effective Vaccine to Reduce Severity”
Tetsuo Nakayama, a specially appointed professor at Kitasato University who specializes in clinical virology and is familiar with vaccines, said, "Just because antibody levels are down doesn't mean that vaccines will be ineffective against new mutant viruses. In addition, the ability to defeat infected cells called cell-mediated immunity is also boosted by vaccination.In the future, even as new mutant viruses increase, I think this vaccine will be effective in terms of suppressing the severity of the disease." talking
Q. What about side effects?
A.On December 16th, a research group of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare announced the results of an analysis of the side effects of vaccines for BA.1 compared to conventional vaccines.
From the results of the analysis, it is said that "there is no big difference in the rate of side reactions."
The research team compared and analyzed the rate of adverse reactions within 1 week after vaccination between the ▽ 3rd to 5th booster vaccination of the ``BA.1'' vaccine and the ▽ 3rd booster vaccination of the conventional vaccine. did.
The results were summarized for each side reaction symptom.
“Whole body malaise”
▽ Conventional vaccine
Pfizer 69%
Moderna 75.6%
▽ “BA.1” vaccine
Pfizer 64.6%
Moderna 77.8%
“Headache”
▽ Conventional vaccine
Pfizer 55.1%
Moderna 64.5%
▽ “BA.1” compatible Vaccine
Pfizer 43.7%
Moderna 60%
'Fever of 37 degrees 5 minutes or more'
▽Conventional vaccine
Pfizer 39.7%
Moderna 62.9%
▽ Vaccine compatible with "BA.1"
Pfizer 29.1%
Moderna 53.3%
The research group is compatible with "BA.1" Although the number of people surveyed for the vaccine is still small compared to the conventional type, it is said that there is no big difference in the rate of side reactions at this time.
Q.Are there any vacancies for vaccination venues and reservations?
A.According to interviews with vaccination venues in various places, we can see that the number of days that are fully booked, especially on weekends, is increasing, but there are still days where there is still room.
At the Self-Defense Forces large-scale vaccination venue in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, a total of 6,000 people can be vaccinated for 6 days from Monday to Saturday, and people living anywhere can be vaccinated.
Reservations began to increase from around the beginning of November, and the situation continues to fill up mainly on weekends.
A woman in her 40s living in Yokohama City who visited for the vaccination said, "I thought I should get it before I got old. It was helpful because there were no restrictions on where I lived."
The venue plans to accept the last reservations for the year in the week of December 19th, and the person in charge of the venue said, "We will be able to make reservations for the next week at 3:00 pm on Monday, so please make reservations early." rice field.
In addition, at four large-scale vaccination venues in Tokyo, a maximum of 7,800 people can be vaccinated per day, including those who have made reservations in advance and those who have not.
Since the number of people visiting for vaccinations has increased since November, it is said that the number of days with more reservation slots is increasing.
As of December 19th, there were still days when more than 50 reservations were available on the website that accepts reservations.
A person in charge of the Tokyo metropolitan government said, "We are adjusting the reservation frame so that people who want to be vaccinated can be vaccinated by the end of the year in preparation for the year-end and New Year holidays when people move more.The reservation status is updated every five minutes, so check the website frequently. I want you to do it," he said.
Q. What about people in the city about inoculations?
I heard about vaccination against A. omicron strain in Shibuya, Tokyo.
It seems that people who hit and people who don't hit each have their own thoughts.
A male office worker in his 60s said, ``I don't want to cause trouble if I get infected and pass it on to others, so I've been vaccinated every six months, and I've also been vaccinated against the Omicron strain.'' .
A 29-year-old male office worker said, "I've been vaccinated three times so far, but I haven't taken any measures against the Omicron strain. I don't want to do something like that, so I don't want to hit it if possible.
An 18-year-old female office worker said, "I've been vaccinated three times so far, but I've been sick with the coronavirus recently, and I've come to think that I have to keep vaccinated. I'm so busy that I don't have much time. I can't get it, but I would like to inoculate against the Omicron strain," he said.
On the other hand, an 18-year-old woman who was with her said, ``I have never had a vaccine. I was talking.
Q. What is the country's vaccination plan and system?
A. Regarding vaccines for the Omicron strain, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is preparing a system so that those who wish can complete the vaccination within the year.
From September 20th, vaccination of Pfizer and Moderna corresponding to "BA.1" has started.
After this, Pfizer and Moderna vaccines compatible with "BA.5" will be inoculated, and the target of vaccination is 12 years old and above.
The interval from the previous dose, originally specified as "at least 5 months", has been shortened to "at least 3 months", allowing everyone who received the conventional vaccine by September to receive the vaccine by the end of the year if they wish. I decided to hit it.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare assumes that the number of eligible people is about 100 million, and plans to deliver vaccines for 102.09 million people to local governments, which are necessary for vaccination within the week of December 19. A large amount is expected to arrive.
In addition, ``occupational vaccination'' that can be inoculated at universities and companies is also being done, and by December 14, there were applications from 951 venues.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has asked local governments nationwide to expand vaccination quotas based on reservation status, and has also established a leave system that can be used in the event that the younger generation is vaccinated at night or on holidays, or if they fall ill due to adverse reactions. We are trying to raise awareness.
Q. Who are the experts?
A.We asked Professor Takashi Nakano of Kawasaki Medical School, who is a member of a subcommittee of experts from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and is familiar with infectious diseases and vaccines.
Regarding the current vaccination rate, Professor Nakano said, ``It is true that the overall vaccination rate is low, and some people are hesitant to get the fourth or fifth dose because they have had side effects such as fever and headaches from previous vaccinations.'' points out.
On the other hand, the vaccine has the effect of preventing the onset and infection as well as the effect of preventing aggravation. And people who have not received enough vaccinations should consider vaccination."
On top of that, he said, ``It is true that there are cases where people feel unwell after being vaccinated, so please consult your family doctor when deciding whether to vaccinate.''
Q. On the other hand, will the conventional vaccination end soon?
A. As of now, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is planning to end the free vaccination of conventional vaccines by March next year.
Vaccines for the Omicron strain are intended for people who have received at least two doses of the conventional vaccine, but the supply of the conventional vaccine is expected to end by the end of the year.
The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare is asking local governments to call on those who wish to be vaccinated by the end of the year.
In Koto Ward, Tokyo, on December 17, 59 people aged 12 to 90 visited the reservation slot for 60 people for conventional vaccination and received vaccination.
By October this year, the number of applicants for the first and second vaccinations of the conventional vaccine was decreasing, but it was increasing from November, and the reservation frame was almost full, so from December 20th, we will make a reservation for 4 days. It means that we decided to expand the frame and respond.
According to the ward, people who have postponed vaccination due to being infected with Corona, and children who have reached the age of 12 who are newly eligible for vaccination are visiting for vaccination.
The mother of a 12-year-old boy who was vaccinated said, ``I heard that the first and second vaccines could not be given anymore, so I came to give them.
The conventional vaccine started in February two years ago, but since November this year, the number of vaccinations has increased again. While the monthly average was about 4000 times a day, the average for the month until December 15th is about 7400 times a day.
The national government will continue to provide free vaccinations for conventional vaccines supplied to local governments within the year until March next year.
