Safe and (presumably) effective: Japan proposes to lower its emergency authorisation standards

Because Japan lagged behind other developed countries in jabbing its population, the Japanese cabinet has proposed amending the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Act to more easily give emergency authorisation to new drugs and vaccines in the future. After all, it’s not Japan’s had any issues with the Covid shots. [Source]

Thank God! For a moment there, I was worried the Japanese regulators were going to be enabled to authorise unsafe vaccines for viruses that have flu-like fatality rates in most age groups and are treatable with off-patent drugs.

And of course, I’m sure the regulators would definitely cancel the emergency authorisation of any pharmaceutical that showed negative efficacy.

But one question still bothers me. How exactly will efficacy be “presumed”?

Antibodies! I should have known since, according to Japanese TV, antibodies = immunity.

Anybody for antibodies? Japanese TV lamely attempts to flog boosters

Out of interest, did anyone accurately presume the efficacy of the mRNA jabs early on?

High incidence of severe side effects: check

Short-lived antibody response: check

Mutant variants: check

Despite all his predictions coming true, mRNA researcher Luigi Warren probably won’t be asked for his opinion by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. They won’t be making Osaka Governor Yoshimura’s mistake of asking the wrong type of expert.

Flashback to Japan's first state of emergency: The one time an honest expert was asked for an opinion

As you can see, willing vaccinees are already lining up. I presume there must be an emergency.