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Japan urges vaccination despite recovery from COVID-19

Although some foreign countries urge former COVID-19 patients to receive only one vaccine shot, the ministry said that there is not sufficient information on the advisability of reducing the number of vaccine shots. (Shutterstock)
Although some foreign countries urge former COVID-19 patients to receive only one vaccine shot, the ministry said that there is not sufficient information on the advisability of reducing the number of vaccine shots. (Shutterstock)
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26 Sep 2021 02:09:15 GMT9
26 Sep 2021 02:09:15 GMT9

TOKYO: Japan’s health ministry has urged COVID-19 patients to be vaccinated twice after recovery, just like those who have not been infected with the novel coronavirus.

Although some foreign countries urge former COVID-19 patients to receive only one vaccine shot, the ministry said that there is not sufficient information on the advisability of reducing the number of vaccine shots.

While people’s bodies develop neutralizing antibodies after they recover from COVID-19, a lot is not known, including how long their immunity lasts.

An expert committee under the ministry has been discussing whether people who have already been infected need to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, using the latest data collected overseas.

A study was conducted on residents of the U.S. state of Kentucky who were infected in May-June 2020, covering 246 people who tested positive again a year later and 492 who did not. It found that of the residents, people who were not vaccinated were 2.34 times more likely to be infected with the virus again than those who received vaccine shots.

Canada and the United States ask that those who have already been infected with the virus receive two vaccine shots in principle. By contrast, Germany and France recommend that such people receive one shot.

While the World Health Organization and the United States say that COVID-19 patients can be vaccinated soon after they recover, Germany asks for a six-month interval after being infected if they have symptoms and France calls on people to wait at least two months after testing positive.

Looking at such situations, Japan’s health ministry says that there is not enough scientific evidence to recommend a single vaccine shot, as opposed to the usual two doses.

The ministry recommends that former COVID-19 patients receive two doses, as well as notes that such people can be vaccinated just after they recover, in line with the advisories of the WHO and the United States.

Meanwhile, according to Japan’s Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. <4519>, which sells Ronapreve, used for antibody cocktail treatment to reduce the risk of developing severe COVID-19 symptoms, the United States recommends that people wait at least 90 days after such treatment before being vaccinated.

Following in the footsteps of the United States, Japan’s health ministry recommends that people be vaccinated 90 days after receiving cocktail treatment.

For people who do not remember what treatment they received or for those wanting to be vaccinated as soon as possible, the ministry said that they do not have to wait 90 days.

JIJI Press

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