Mass COVID-19 booster shot venue opens in Osaka

OSAKA -- A mass vaccination venue operated by the Japan Self-Defense Forces (SDF) opened in Osaka on Feb. 7 to accelerate the pace of COVID-19 booster shots.

The venue is expected to be in operation until the end of July. At first, the venue will inoculate a maximum of 960 people per day, but during a meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee on the morning of Feb. 7, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced plans to boost that to around 2,500 in a week's time.

The vaccinations are being carried out in the privately owned Sakaisuji Yagi Building in Osaka's Chuo Ward. The venue is staffed by about 160 workers and uses vaccines produced by U.S. pharmaceutical firm Moderna. It is open to those aged 18 and older who hold booster shot vouchers and who had their second vaccine shot at least six months prior.

Mainly elderly people were seen at the venue, but there were also some young people. Among them was Kosei Inokuma, a 22-year-old third-year university student from Ashiya, Hyogo Prefecture, who has asthma. Those with pre-existing medical conditions have been given vaccination priority. Inokuma decided to book a slot at the SDF center as he could get the jab earlier than in his home city. He had a fever of 39 degrees Celsius after receiving his second shot last summer, and was concerned about the possibility of an adverse reaction to the booster shot this time, but said, "I'm at risk of developing serious (COVID-19) symptoms, so it's good that I'm able to get vaccinated quickly. I'll just be happy if there's no adverse reaction."

Up until the second COVID-19 vaccination shot, the SDF had vaccinated up to 5,000 people per day at Osaka International Convention Center in Osaka's Kita Ward, but due to events scheduled there, the venue was changed, and the number of daily shots was downscaled.

Those who wish to be vaccinated at the mass inoculation venue need to make a reservation through the Defense Ministry's website, the free communication app Line, or by phoning the dedicated number 0120-296-567. All spots up until Feb. 13 have already been filled. Slots from Feb. 14 onward are due to be released at 6 p.m. on Feb. 7.

(Japanese original by Yasutoshi Tsurumi and Yuta Kumamoto, Osaka City News Department)