Japan SDF vaccination venues to stay open until end-Sept.

Jiji Press

11:41 JST, July 22, 2022

TOKYO (Jiji Press) — Japan’s Defense Ministry said Thursday that mass COVID-19 vaccination venues run by the Self-Defense Forces in Tokyo and Osaka will remain open until Sept. 30, two months later than previously planned.

The ministry decided to extend the operation period as the country is believed to have entered the seventh wave of the novel coronavirus. But the operations will be trimmed because many vacancies were often seen in vaccination reservations slots.

At present, the SDF has one venue in Tokyo and two in the western city of Osaka. Of the Osaka venues, the one near Osaka Metro Co.’s Sakaisuji-Honmachi Station will be closed.

The operating hours at the remaining Tokyo and Osaka venues will be shortened by two hours, running from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The change will go into effect Aug. 1.

From the beginning of August, the Tokyo venue will administer up to 1,000 shots per day, and the Osaka venue up to 500 shots.

The daily total of 1,500 shots compares with the maximum combined capacity of 4,500 shots made available at the three venues when Japan started the fourth round of vaccination in June.