AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine has been granted a special approval for emergency use in Japan for active immunization of individuals aged 18 years and older, to prevent COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2.

The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare granted the approval based on positive Phase III efficacy and safety data from the Oxford University-led clinical trial programme in the UK, Brazil and South Africa, and a Phase I/II trial in Japan, states the company in a press release.

“We continue to expand global access to our vaccine and this approval brings us one step closer to providing Vaxzevria to the people of Japan who urgently need protection from coronavirus. We are proud to have produced a vaccine for the world, which is playing a leading role in the global fight against the pandemic, with more than 400 million doses now supplied by AstraZeneca and sub-licensees to 165 countries,” says Mene Pangalos, Executive Vice President, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca.

Production of the vaccine in Japan is already underway, and the first doses are expected to be available in the coming weeks.

Photo of Mene Pangalos: AstraZeneca