The government of Tokyo's Sumida Ward sent nurses and other staff to a novel coronavirus vaccination site unannounced on Thursday to check whether temperature management, dilution and other procedures were being followed properly.
The goal of this surprise visit, believed to be unusual anywhere in the nation, was to halt a series of mistakes that have occurred involving dilution.
Based on the Medical Care Law, the ward has designated about 10 nurses, pharmacists and others as "medical monitors."
On Thursday, two monitors inspected a mass vaccination venue at the ward office building. They checked that dilutions were being confirmed by multiple people, and that refrigerators were maintaining the correct temperature.
The ward has commissioned private contractors to start nighttime and weekend vaccinations at the end of this month, mainly targeting young people in entertainment districts such as Kinshicho.
The medical monitors will visit mass vaccination venues and about 100 smaller sites in the ward without prior notice.
"Strengthening our monitoring will prevent vaccine from being thrown away and accelerate the inoculation of young people," Sumida Ward Mayor Toru Yamamoto said.
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