TOKYO: The Japanese government is preparing to administer COVID-19 vaccines to Japanese citizens living abroad for free, starting as early as August, officials said.

The government plans to vaccinate those people at Tokyo International Airport at Haneda and Narita International Airport near the capital when they return home temporarily, the officials said.

The move is in response to requests from Japanese citizens overseas who are concerned about the safety of vaccines approved by countries where they live.

Foreign Minister MOTEGI Toshimitsu told parliament in April that the government would help overseas residents get vaccinated.

In late April, the Foreign Ministry set up an office with a staff of about 10 to make preparations including surveying demand for such vaccinations.

There are concerns about the safety of vaccines other than those developed by U.S. and European pharmaceutical companies and approved for use in Japan.

Chinese-made vaccines that are widely used in Latin America and Eastern Europe are less effective than U.S. and European vaccines, a Japanese government source said.

In addition, Japanese citizens overseas are concerned about whether they will be able to receive sufficient medical care if they develop severe side effects from vaccinations in countries where they live.

The government plans to start vaccinating those people once certain progress is made over inoculations for residents of Japan, the officials said.

JIJI Press