The nation's health minister said Sunday that his ministry could approve a second COVID-19 vaccine as early as May, as the government sees inoculations as crucial to curbing infections.
"There is the possibility of giving pharmaceutical approval as early as May or June," Norihisa Tamura, minister of health, labor and welfare, said during a TV program.
Tamura also said the government would be ready to consider an application by Johnson & Johnson for its single-dose vaccine if one is filed. But it has yet to decide on whether to purchase the vaccine as discussions continue, he said.