Any old shot (Updated 26 April 2022)
Japan extends the expiry date of its Pfizer vaccines from 6 to 9 to 12 months
The joint Pfizer-Moderna sales department known as the government of Japan has decided to extend the expiry date of its vaccine stock from six to nine months. After all, we’ve all survived eating food after its expiry date, so what could be different with mRNA vaccines?
Japan’s public broadcaster NHK has also been offering reassurance to anyone who notices the original expiry date on their booster shot has been crossed out and amended. [Hat-tip to former Member of Parliament Masayuki Aoyama for the screenshots]
Apparently, as long as the jabs are appropriately stored, their quality can be maintained.
And the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) says that “According to the manufacturers’ data, product quality has been confirmed even nine months after production.”
Well, that’s a relief. I’m sure the manufacturers provide only the highest quality data.
So get your jabs before the expiry date gets pushed back even further. Because as Governor Koike of Tokyo actually said while getting her Moderna booster, “It would be a waste to have any surplus left over.”
Update 26/4/2022
Sadly, it looks like Governor Koike’s fears have been realised: despite the best efforts of the media and politicians, Japan still has an enormous amount of unused vaccines with their 30 April expiry date fast approaching. Well, there’s only one thing for it.
MHLW extends expiry date of Pfizer vaccine to 1 year
Of course, Japan threw away its remaining AZ stockpile when the 6-month expiry came up, but Pfizer is different.
MHLW “It is confirmed that product quality is maintained”
Which begs the question: How would we know if quality wasn’t maintained?
