Matt has lived in Japan for more than 20 years and is currently undergoing treatment for cancer in Tokyo, which requires him to visit a hospital from time to time. In the middle of a pandemic, however, hospitals aren’t always the safest of places.

Matt, who has asked to be referred to by his given name for privacy reasons related to his health situation, says he’d feel less anxious overall if he could receive a COVID-19 vaccination, but doubts the opportunity will come within the next few months. That’s not him being pessimistic, his surgeon told him as much directly.

“Don’t even think you’re going to get anything before September,” Matt recalls the doctor saying.