TOKYO: Japan’s health ministry plans to start an additional round of COVID-19 vaccinations for all generations on Sept. 20, officials said.

It will use a monovalent vaccine that is effective against the XBB variant of the omicron strain, which is the dominant COVID-19 variant in the country.

Pfizer Inc. has filed an application with the health ministry for approval of its vaccine against the XBB variant, available for those aged 6 months or older, while Moderna Inc. has sought approval for its XBB vaccine for those aged 6 years or older.

The current round of additional vaccinations using a bivalent vaccine, for people at high risk of becoming seriously ill such as those aged 65 or older and those with underlying conditions, is set to end on Sept. 19.

JIJI Press