TOKYO – Japan has received three shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine so far, comprising approximately 1.4 million doses.
The first shipment of up to 386,100 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 shot arrived at Narita Airport from the drugmaker’s factory in Belgium on Feb. 12.
The second batch of up to 452,790 doses arrived on Feb. 21.
The third delivery of up to 526,500 doses came on March 1.
The first phase of the country’s inoculation drive was officially launched last Feb. 17 for about 40,000 medical professionals at 100 hospitals nationwide.
The Japanese Health Ministry has signed a contract with Pfizer Inc. to receive about 144 million doses of the drugmaker’s COVID-19 vaccine this year. - Florenda Corpuz
(Photo courtesy of Pfizer Japan Inc.)