A tweet shared on December 2 by award-winning journalist Miriam Grace A Go points to an article on the platform she works for claiming that Japan will offer free COVID-19 vaccines to its residents.
Background
The outbreak of COVID-19 across the globe has disrupted the lives of many, bringing businesses, schools, sports activities and many outdoor activities to a halt. With infection cases to rising over 67 million and over 1.5 million deaths, scientists worldwide are on a rush to get a vaccine. Among the leading pack in this research include Pfizer and Biontech, Moderna and AstraZeneca in collaboration with Oxford University.
Some scientists have urged cautious optimism with the rush to get a vaccine saying it could have some risks due to telescoping testing timelines, lack of enough numbers for pre-clinical trials and other possible side effects if the vaccines are not studied long enough.
Verification
According to the Japan Times, the bill to provide the vaccine free of charge by the central government was passed in the Upper House on Wednesday, December 2. The passing was preceded by the bill’s approval in the more powerful Lower House. Local governments will be tasked with administering the immunizations.
Rappler, where Miriam Grace A Go is a news editor, further added that the country had secured vaccines for 60 million people from Pfizer and a further for 25 million people from Moderna.
The government also stated that it was expecting to receive 120 million doses from AstraZeneca.
Verdict
The claim that all Japan residents will be getting free COVID-19 vaccines is therefore TRUE.
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