It’s been nearly a year and a half since the COVID-19 pandemic engulfed the planet, and it’s still a difficult time for people worldwide. There have been gaps in healthcare delivery, funds are quickly being depleted, resources are not enough to power economies as they did before, and vaccinations come loosely in batches for all the world to access. In Japan, though there had been initial delays, the government’s campaign is well on its track to vaccinate over 120 million people, especially now that the Tokyo Games are at hand.
COVID-19 vaccinations in Japan have been fully implemented. Even if you are not a Japanese native, you can get your vaccine covered for free as long as you have official resident status in Japan. In this piece, we’ll go over the papers and documentation that come with vaccination vouchers. Keep reading until the end to learn more.
COVID-19 Vaccination Vouchers: An Expat’s Guide
Vaccination schedules will differ by municipality, so check your municipality’s website for up-to-date information unique to your district.
It is highly advisable to visit the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare’s official COVID-19 Vaccination website, which contains extensive information about the vaccination procedure in English.
On the official website’s Multilingual Vaccine Information page, you can obtain translations of required documents and directions in 17 languages. The prevaccination screening questionnaire, vaccination instructions, and COVID-19 vaccination notice are among the materials included in this package. (*The questionnaire must be completed in Japanese, however, you may use the translation in your language as a guide.)
Based on the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare’s official website, the article below provides a basic explanation of the process.
Vaccination Vouchers
The document including your immunization voucher number will be the most significant item in this envelope. This ten-digit number is essential whether you get your vaccine from your municipality or from an SDF mass-vaccination center.
The vaccination voucher and proof of vaccination certificate will be put into the blank space at the bottom of the paper. Because full immunization necessitates two distinct vaccine doses, you will be given two vaccination voucher barcodes, for a total of four labels. Do not remove the label, and bring the full document to the immunization center to show the personnel your voucher number.
Notice Regarding COVID-19 Vaccination
Please try to read the entire notice (*) regarding COVID-19 immunization because it contains vitally essential information. It offers information on the vaccination procedure, such as how to locate a vaccination center, appointments, the type of vaccine, and what to bring with you.
Please see the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare’s Multilingual COVID-19 Vaccine Information website for translations of all relevant documents. Currently, the material is available in 17 languages.
*: Papers and documents will vary by region.
COVID-19 Vaccine Leaflet
To find out which vaccine is being administered by your municipality, look at the top right corner of your COVID-19 vaccine brochure.
The pamphlet will provide specific information about the vaccine’s effectiveness, how it is delivered, and how much is given. It will also provide information on health issues that may pose additional risks or disqualify people from receiving vaccinations. Please carefully study the pamphlet to see if any of these apply to you.
It will also include detailed information on what measures to take and what relief options are available after being immunized. Remember to thoroughly read this information before taking your shot.
Vaccine Screening Questionnaire
Before your immunization, you must undergo a brief medical examination with a doctor. This screening questionnaire will be used to accomplish this. There is a COVID-19 vaccination request form at the bottom of the page, however you can fill it out when you have your vaccine.
The Prevaccination Screening Questionnaire is available in 17 languages on the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare’s Multilingual COVID-19 Vaccine Information page.
Note: These translations are merely for reference purposes, and that the questionnaire must be completed in Japanese.
Here’s What You Need to Prepare Beforehand
The COVID-19 vaccine is a novel sort of preventive medication that was created utilizing cutting-edge technologies. It has been observed that adverse symptoms such as fever, arm discomfort, and weariness can develop after receiving a vaccination dosage. You should contact with a pharmacist or doctor first, and keep pain medicines on hand to help ease these symptoms.
Vaccination Glossary
To make it much more accessible for foreigners to get vaccinated in Japan, here are some of the vaccine-related terms used in the news in Japan.
Terms and Meanings
新型コロナワクチン (shin-gata korona wakuchin) – COVID-19 vaccine
自治体接種 (jichitai sesshu) – Vaccination by local government, carried out at an institute or place as designated by your area’s local government.
職域接種 (shokuiki sesshu) – Workplace vaccinations. Normally done only by large corporations, but some smaller companies are now offering these via vaccination programs.
自衛隊大規模接種 (jieitai dai-kibo sesshu) – Vaccination rollout for the general public by SDF medical doctors at mass-vaccination centers. This is currently only available in Tokyo and Osaka. Please check the Ministry of Defense’s website for more details.
ワクチン特別休暇 (wakuchin tokubetsu kyuka) – Vaccine-related measures such as making vaccinations possible during office hours, giving employees vacation days to get vaccinated, as well as days off to rest in case of side reactions from the vaccine.
ファイザー (faizā) – Pfizer
モデルナ (moderuna) – Moderna
アストラゼネカ (asutora zeneka) – Astra Zeneca or AZ
副反応 (fuku-hannou) – Side reactions from a vaccine
ワクチン特別休暇 (wakuchin tokubetsu kyuka) – Vaccine-related measures such as making vaccinations possible during office hours, giving employees vacation days to get vaccinated, as well as days off to rest in case of side reactions from the vaccine.
Disclaimer: This article is not published to provide medical advice. The aim of this guide is to help you understand your own vaccination voucher and related materials.
Now that vaccinations are being rolled out in most parts of the world, it’s important that you understand the procedure/s set by your local government, especially here in Japan so that you can benefit from this program as conveniently and hassle-free as possible.
READ NEXT: Tokyo Placed in 4th State of Emergency as Tokyo Games Approaches