Only 16% of eligible people in Japan have received an early COVID booster shot

An elderly person who uses a daytime-care facility gets a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a venue provided by the Niigata prefectural government. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Of the approximately 14.7 million people who were expected to receive a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine by the end of this month, only 16% had gotten a booster shot as of Sunday, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry has found.

Most of the 14.7 million people eligible for priority in getting a third shot are people engaged in medical services, and elderly people living in nursing care facilities. The administration of booster shots was moved up amid the rapid spread of the highly contagious omicron variant, but various problems appear to have emerged, including difficulties in confirming the wishes of elderly people.