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Tokyo (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister meets Pfizer CEO on Friday and pharmaceutical companies launch COVID-19 vaccine as promised by this fall, when the country faces supply concerns and expanding outbreaks Confirmed to provide.
Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, who is in Tokyo to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympics on Friday, was greeted by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga at the state residence of the Akasaka Palace, which normally welcomed the head of state. rice field. Suga’s special hospitality to Pfizer leaders has seen Japan delaying the promotion of vaccination as local authorities are putting pressure on the central government for faster and more stable deliveries.
At the almost one-hour breakfast, Suga explained the resurgence of the Japanese virus and the status of vaccines. Mr. Suga called on Mr. Burla to ship the vaccine in a stable manner, emphasizing that the vaccine is a “trump card” for restoring social and economic activity.
According to government officials, Suga also thanked Barra for providing tens of thousands of Pfizer vaccines to Olympic athletes and participants to ensure their health during the delayed pandemic match.
Japan has signed Pfizer and will receive 100 million COVID-19 vaccines by June and another 70 million from July to September.
Approximately 23% of the population of more than 120 million people has been fully vaccinated, and the number has increased since May, but it is still far from where the Japanese government wanted it before the Olympics. Young people are rarely vaccinated.
Quoting unidentified officials, Kyodo News reported that Suga had requested Barra to proceed with the 20 million deliveries planned around October.
Japan has survived the pandemic more than many other countries, with approximately 853,000 cases and 15,100 deaths since the pandemic began. However, infections are on the rise, with Tokyo itself hitting a six-month high of 1,979 cases per day on Thursday.
In order to control the spread of the coronavirus, spectators are banned at all venues in the Tokyo area, and spectators are restricted in some suburban areas. However, there are criticisms that the Suga administration prioritizes the Olympics over national health.
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