接種可能人数、減る恐れ　「１瓶６回」を５回に変更―ファイザー製ワクチン

　厚生労働省は９日、近く接種が始まる米製薬大手ファイザー製の新型コロナウイルスワクチンについて、１瓶からの接種回数を６回から５回に変更する方針を明らかにした。用意した注射器では充填（じゅうてん）したワクチンの一部が使い切れずに多く残ってしまうためで、近く自治体向けに新たな接種手順を示す。
　７２００万人分を想定する接種可能人数が減る恐れもあるが、同省担当者は「ファイザーと今後相談するので、現状では何とも言えない」としている。（2021/02/09-18:02）

Japan's health ministry will revise the planned number of shots from each bottle of Pfizer Inc.'s COVID-19 vaccine, to five from the currently assumed six, ministry officials said Tuesday.
   As of mid-December, the ministry planned to use each bottle of the novel coronavirus vaccine for five shots. In January, the ministry was told by the U.S. drugmaker that each bottle can be used for six shots if special syringes are used.
   The ministry then concluded a contract with the company on Jan. 20 on the supply of a total of 144 million shots of the vaccine for 72 million people by the end of this year.
   In a briefing session for local governments on Jan. 25, the ministry explained a plan to conduct six shots from each bottle of the vaccine.
   Later in the month, however, the ministry learned that a certain amount of the vaccine will be left between needles and syringes, making the contents of each bottle not enough for six shots.