TOKYO: Japanese prefectural governors Tuesday urged the government to strongly call on young people to receive third shots of the COVID-19 vaccine.

The move came amid increasing views that Japan has entered the seventh wave of COVID-19 infections due to the highly contagious BA.5 omicron variant becoming dominant.

Booster vaccination rates remain low among young people.

The National Governors’ Association, headed by Tottori Governor Shinji Hirai, discussed an emergency proposal to the central government regarding measures against the spread of the novel coronavirus the same day.

The proposal noted that some regions have logged record-high infection numbers, requesting the central government to strengthen countermeasures to balance infection prevention and socioeconomic activities.

The governors also called for clarifying the standards of people to be subject to the fourth shot of the novel coronavirus vaccine, in order to avoid confusion at medical facilities. The additional shot is currently recommended for the elderly and those with underlying conditions.

They requested that information be provided to local governments as early as possible if medical and care workers will also be subject to the fourth shots, in order to secure ample time for preparations.

The proposal also included a call for swiftly securing vaccines for influenza, noting that seasonal flu may spread simultaneously with the novel coronavirus.

Many people in Japan are believed to lack immunity for seasonal flu, as outbreaks have not occurred in the country in the past two seasons.

The proposal noted that the seasonal flu may begin spreading earlier than usual as a result.

JIJI Press