TOKYO – The Japanese health ministry on Tuesday has approved the use of COVID-19 vaccine developed by U.S. biopharmaceutical firm Novavax Inc., making it the fourth novel coronavirus jab available in Japan.
It is the first recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine authorized for use in the country.
The ministry will allow individuals aged 18 and older to get 0.5 milliliter of the jab with a three-week interval between the first and second shots.
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. will manufacture the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine at its Hikari facility and will begin distribution in the country "as soon as possible."
“COVID-19 continues to pose a significant threat to the health and well-being of our global community,” said Gary Dubin, President of the Global Vaccine Business Unit, Takeda. “We are proud to contribute to the development of Nuvaxovid and to manufacture the vaccine at our Hikari facilities, continuing our commitment to the COVID-19 public health response in Japan.”
The Japanese government has made an agreement with Takeda for the supply of 150 million doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine within a year. - Florenda Corpuz
