The initiative on Tuesday marks the first winter season since the end of Japan's universal free vaccination program in March, though individuals aged 65 and above remain eligible for shots at a reduced fee.
Ministry data reveals that medical facilities have received only about 4.57 million doses out of 32.24 million doses allocated for the winter campaign.
"We usually see the spread (of COVID-19) in the winter," Health Minister Takamaro Fukuoka said, calling out the importance of vaccination uptake during the October-March immunization period.
The ministry's emphasis on elderly vaccination follows sobering statistics showing that about 32,500 COVID-19 fatalities were recorded in Japan during the first year after the May 2023 guidelines were relaxed, with seniors accounting for 97 percent of deaths.
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