About the Omicron Adapted Bivalent Vaccine (3rd, 4th, and 5th dose)

The Omicron strain adapted bivalent vaccine is an mRNA vaccine that contains components of the conventional strains (the strain that spread during the beginning on the pandemic, also called the original strain) of the virus as well as components of the Omicron strain.
The Omicron strain adapted bivalent vaccine is being administered in order to help prevent severe symptoms in the event of infection, help prevent infection, and help prevent the development of the virus.
Vaccination is not compulsory or mandatory. Please understand the benefits of vaccination and the potential risk of side effects and decide for yourself whether or not to get vaccinated.

Until March 31, 2023

People over the age of 12 who have received their first two vaccines
A 3rd, 4th, or 5th booster shot vaccine coupon can be used.
The conventional vaccine will be used for people who receive the vaccine for the first time (1st and 2nd shots)

There must be a period of at least three months between the previous vaccine and the Omicron booster shot.

The vaccine is free of charge.

Vaccine coupons for a 3rd, 4th, or 5th booster shot will be sent to residents around three months after receiving their most recent shot. If you have already received a coupon for a 3rd or 4th vaccine, you may use the same coupon. If you lost your vaccine coupon, please call the Vaccine Call Center (TEL: 025-250-0080) to have one reissued.

1. Vaccine Coupon (1 copy)
2. Prevaccination Screening Questionnaire (1 copy)
3. Vaccine Information Flyer (1 copy)

Vaccines cannot be given without a vaccine coupon.
Keep the coupon sticker safe and intact. Do not take the sticker off.
The contents of the flyer may change depending on when it is sent out.

Try to use the same method you did for previous shots (e.g.、 at a clinic or vaccination site).

Make an appointment with the clinic where you got your previous dose.
Make the reservation after your vaccine coupon arrives.
Method of reservation will vary depending on the clinic.
List of healthcare facilities that provide vaccines (Japanese only)

65 years old or older (born on or before October 1, 1957):
You will be sent information about the vaccination site and date.
Please go to the vaccination site at the date and time listed.
You can change the date, time, and vaccination site.
If you do not want to get the vaccine, or do not want to get the vaccine at a vaccination site, please cancel your reservation.
64 years old or younger (born on or after October 2, 1957):
Please reserve an appointment for a vaccination site by yourself.
Make the reservation after your vaccine coupon arrives.

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

Regardless of what vaccine was given for previous doses, either the Pfizer or Moderna Omicron adapted bivalent vaccine (conventional/original strain/Omicron strain BA.1) or (conventional/original strain/Omicron strain BA.4-5) will be given. The dosage will be the same as your first and second shots.

Because the Omicron adapted booster shot contains components of the Omicron strain, when compared to conventional vaccines, it will provide even better immunity induction by preventing severe symptoms, infection, and the development of the Omicron strain. Therefore, it is expected to provide improvedprotection against severe symptoms, as well as prevent infection andprevent the development of the virus, even though the period between vaccinations for the Omicron strain booster may be short for some people.

Because it contains two different antigens, it is expected to induce immunity to even more diverse strains of the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, it is highly expected that the vaccine will be effective against future mutant strains.

Pfizer and Moderna’s bivalent vaccines have received pharmaceutical approval and side effects similar to conventional vaccines have been observed in both of the new vaccines.

People under the age of 16 must receive consent from their guardian.
At the time of vaccination, people under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a guardian and also have a copy of a prevaccination screening questionnaire signed by their guardian (parental authority).
If you are not accompanied by a guardian and do not a have a signed form, you will be unable to receive a vaccination.

For people who recently moved to Niigata City and who want to get vaccinated, you must apply to receive a vaccine coupon.
People who received their vaccine coupon after moving to Niigata City do not need to apply.

People who received the following domestically approved vaccines overseas can receive additional booster shots.
(For example: If you were vaccinated twice overseas, you would receive a 3rd vaccine in Japan instead of starting over with the two initial vaccines.)
However, if you received a vaccine that is not approved in Japan, those vaccinations will not count and you will need to start over again.

• Vaccines made by Pfizer
• Vaccines made by Moderna
• Vaccines made by AstraZeneca*1
• Vaccines made by Takeda (Novavax)
• Vaccines made by Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) *2
• COMIRNATY manufactured by Fosun Pharma / BioNTech and Covishield / COVOVAX manufactured by the Serum Institute of India

*1: Additional doses (a 3rd dose) of AstraZeneca have not received pharmaceutical approval in Japan.
*2: In Japan, people who received one shot of the Janssen vaccine overseas will be considered to have received two shots.
Furthermore, those who have received two Janssen shots will be considered to have received three shots.

If you meet the above requirements, please submit a request for a vaccine coupon as explained in the previous section “for people who moved to Niigata City”.