About the 4th Dose of the COVID-19 Vaccines

Based on the national government’s implementation policy for the COVID-19 booster shot, Niigata City also is making 4th doses of COVID-19 vaccines available.

Based on the government’s implementation policy for the COVID-19 booster shot (4th dose) that aims to prevent severe disease in the event of catching COVID-19, Niigata City will begin providing 4th doses of the vaccines. *Information may change after further consideration by the national council.

• Vaccination will be given only with the consent of the individual to be vaccinated. It is not compulsory or mandatory. Please understand the benefits and risks of side effects and decide whether to get vaccinated of your own free will.

Until September 30, 2022

Vaccination is free of charge.

People listed below who have had their 3rd dose of their vaccination series at least 5 months ago.

1. People 60 years old or older(No need to apply)

Will be sent their coupon approximately 5 months after the date of their 3rd dose.

2. People ages 18 to 59 years old with an underlying medical condition, or are otherwise considered by a doctor to be at high risk for severe disease(Application required)

Are eligible but must apply to receive a vaccine coupon.

• 1. People who receive outpatient or inpatient care for any of the following illnesses or conditions

1. Chronic respiratory disease

2. Chronic heart disease (including high blood pressure)

3. Chronic kidney disease

4. Chronic liver disease (liver cirrhosis, etc.)

5. Diabetes being treated with insulin or medication, or diabetes occurring in combination with another disease

6. Blood disease (excluding iron deficiency anemia)

7. Disease that impairs the function of the immune system (including malignant tumors under treatment)

8. Receiving treatment that depresses the immune system, such as steroids

9. Neurological or neuromuscular disease associated with immune abnormalities

10. Decreased body functions due to neurological or neuromuscular disease (impaired breathing, etc.)

11. Chromosomal abnormality

12. Severe mental and physical disability (having both severe mental and physical disability simultaneously)

13. Sleep apnea syndrome

14. Severe mental illness (hospitalized for treatment of mental illness, holding a mental disability certificate* or falling under the category of “severe and continuous” in self-supporting medical care (outpatient psychiatric care)) or intellectual disabilities (holding a rehabilitation certificate)

*People who have a mental disability certificate or a rehabilitation certificate are eligible for vaccination even if they are not being treated at or admitted to a hospital.

• 2. People who meet the criteria for being obese (BMI of 30 or higher)

[Reference]Guideline for BMI of 30: Height of 170 cm weighing 87 kg; Height of 160 cm weighing 77 kg
If you are uncertain whether you are eligible, please get a consultation at a medical institution in advance or ask the doctor at the vaccination site.

• If, at the time of the pre-vaccination examination at the vaccination site, an individual is not deemed to have a qualifying underlying medical condition, they may be unable to receive the vaccine.
• Individuals cannot get the 4th dose before 5 months have passed since their 3rd dose.
• Individuals can receive the vaccination from the day 5 months after their 3rd dose. If that falls at the end of a month that does not have the same date as the 3rd dose, they can get vaccinated the 1st day of the following month.

*Example: Date of 3rd dose: January 31; Date of 4th dose: On or after July 1.

Regardless of which vaccine was given for the 1st through 3rd doses, an mRNA vaccine (either the Pfizer or Takeda/Moderna) will be given.
The vaccination type depends on vaccination site or medical institution.
　

• 　Vaccination Sites:　Starting with Takeda/Moderna
• Individual Vaccination (at a hospital or clinic): Starting mainly with Pfizer

Young men in adolescence or in their twenties, and people who wish to receive the Pfizer vaccine for reasons such as being advised by their doctor, should make an appointment for a medical institution or vaccination site that uses Pfizer vaccines.

People between 18 and 59 years old who have had their 3rd dose will be sent a postcard about the 4th dose. People who have an underlying medical condition and wish to get the 4th dosemust apply for their coupon in advance.
*Applications for the coupon can be made before the postcard arrives.

Get the 4th dose in the same way as the 3rd dose when it is possible.

• 65 years old or older(born on or before April 1, 1957)　

Individuals will be notified of their vaccination site and appointment time.
Please go to the vaccination site at the date and time listed on the vaccine coupon.
It is possible to change the appointed date, time and vaccination site.
Please cancel the reservation if the individual does not want to get the vaccine, or wants to get vaccinated at a medical institution.
※People who wish to be vaccinated ahead of the original schedule should change their vaccination site reservation.

• 64 years old or younger(born on or after April 2,1957)

Please reserve an appointment for a vaccination site by yourself.
Make the reservation after the coupon arrives.

• How to make, change, or cancel a vaccination site reservation.

1. Contact the call center(025-250-1234)
2. Visit a ward or branch office
3. Use the Niigata City Vaccination Website online

• 4th dose Vaccination Sites
• Vaccination sites primarily provide Moderna vaccines. However, some venues and dates will have Pfizer.

Vaccine type may vary depending on changes in supply.

• Reserve an appointment with the same medical institution where the individual got their 3rd dose. Reservations must be made after the coupon arrives.

• Method and time of reservation varies depending on the medical institution.

List of healthcare facilities that provide vaccines (Japanese only)

1. 4th Dose Vaccine Coupon (sticker)
2. Identity verification document
3. Prevaccination Screening Questionnaire (sent with the coupon)

• The timing of receiving the 4th dose coupon depends on when an individual got their
• Coupons will be sent around 5 months after the 3rd dose.
• Coupons will be sent to the individual’s registered address.
• People may need to apply to get a vaccine coupon if they moved to Niigata City after getting their 3rd dose.

(This includes people who got their 3rd dose in Niigata City, moved to a different municipality and then moved back to Niigata City)
*Exact date of arrival may vary due to the state of the postal service.
*If the coupon does not arrive when it is supposed to, contact the Call Center (TEL 025-250-1234).

The vaccine coupon for the 4th dose is a sticker just like the 3rd dose. Along with the coupon, the following will be included:

1. COVID-19 4th Dose Vaccine Coupon (one sheet)
2. Prevaccination Screening Questionnaire (one sheet)
3. Booster Shot Information Flyer (one document)

※Vaccines cannot be given without a vaccine coupon.
※Keep the coupon sticker safe and intact. Do not take the sticker off.

• If there is a mistake in the records of your 1st, 2nd, or 3rd doses contact the Call Center (025-250-1234). If you moved to Niigata City, records for vaccines given in a different municipality will not be listed.
• The information flyer may vary depending on when it is sent.

People who moved to Niigata City after getting their 3rd dose need to apply to have a 4th dose vaccine coupon sent.

(This includes people who got their 3rd dose in Niigata City, moved to a different municipality and then moved back to Niigata City)

• People 60 years old or older who received the coupon for the 3rd dose after moving to Niigata City, do not need to apply.

• People who got 3 doses in Japan but do not have proof of vaccination due to an error in records, etc.
• People who got 3 doses outside of Japan or finished 3 doses, one in Japan and another one outside of Japan
• People who got 3 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine as a part of a vaccination program such as the one to vaccinate Japanese people living outside of Japan
• People who were vaccinated at a U.S. military base in Japan
• People who got 3 doses through a pharmaceutical company’s vaccination trail.

The above only applies vaccines made by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca or Novavax.（ *）
*Includes Comirnaty manufactured by Fosun Pharma/BioNTech as well as Covishield and Covovax made by Serum Institute of India.

• If the above are applicable, apply for a vaccine coupon in the same way as someone who moved to Niigata City after receiving their 3rd dose.

• When applying, attach a Certificate of Vaccination, Record of Vaccination or documents that prove the individual got the 3rd dose.

Regardless of where someone was vaccinated, the number of doses they received of Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, or Novavax *(vaccines recognized by the Japanese government)、 will determine how many doses they get in Japan.
*Includes Comirnaty manufactured by Fosun Pharma/BioNTech as well as Covishield and Covovax made by Serum Institute of India.

TEL 025-250-1234

• To have your vaccine coupon reissued or cancel a same-day appointment:025-250-0080
• HoSame-day cancellations:urs:Same-day cancellations: 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM (everyday, including weekends and holidays)
• Try to have sameone who can speak Japanese help you call if you need support.

E-mai info@vaccine.niigata.jp

• English,Chinese,Korean,Russian,and French only.Request an appointment or ask your question by e-mail.
• Please allow 1 or 2 bussiness days for a reply.