A Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry advisory panel will begin discussions on a possible rollout of COVID-19 booster shots and vaccination mixing on Friday, according to health minister Norihisa Tamura.
"I want to present the findings as soon as possible," Tamura said at a press conference Tuesday.
Research findings have indicated that antibody levels decrease about six months after people receive the second shot.
Israel and other countries have begun offering third shots to boost the protection of vaccines.
However, the impact lower antibody levels have on preventing the onset of the disease or the development of severe symptoms is not yet clear.
The panel's decision will be based on the results of studies in Japan and abroad.
Three kinds of COVID-19 shots are currently being administered in Japan: vaccines made by Pfizer Inc., Moderna Inc. and AstraZeneca PLC.
People in Japan who want to get vaccinated have to receive two doses of the same vaccine.
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry will consider mixing vaccines for some people, such as those who developed acute allergy reactions, such as anaphylaxis, or other serious side effects after receiving their first vaccine shot.
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