Japan Panel OKs Moderna, AstraZeneca Vaccines

Tokyo, May 20 (Jiji Press)--A Japanese health ministry advisory panel on Thursday approved two COVID-19 vaccines developed by U.S. biotechnology firm Moderna Inc. and British drugmaker AstraZeneca PLC. The ministry is expected to approve the two vaccines for use in Japan shortly using fast-track procedures. Currently, U.S. drug giant Pfizer Inc.'s vaccine is the only COVID-19 shot approved for use in Japan. The approval of two more vaccines is expected to give a boost to the country's vaccination campaign as the government aims to complete vaccinations for elderly people by the end of July. The Moderna vaccine is slated to be used at the Defense Ministry's mass vaccination sites set to open in Tokyo and Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, on Monday. Where the AstraZeneca vaccine will be used remains to be decided. There are concerns about possible confusion over differences among the three vaccines, such as inoculation intervals and storage methods. END