ワクチン接種、環境整備に全力　菅首相、新型コロナ感染収束へ決意

　菅義偉首相は１７日の衆院予算委員会で、新型コロナウイルスワクチンの国内接種が始まったことを受け、「多くの国民に一日も早く接種できる環境をつくるのが政府の責任だ」と表明した。感染収束への決意も重ねて示した。
　ワクチンについて、首相は「感染拡大防止の決め手になるものだ」と強調。その上で「国民の判断で接種してもらえるよう、情報を公開し、何としても（感染を）収束に向かわせたい」と訴えた。立憲民主党の長妻昭氏への答弁。
　河野太郎規制改革担当相は、接種費用について「国が負担をするので、自治体は安心して（準備を）やってもらいたい」と改めて説明した。公明党の中野洋昌氏への答弁。（2021/02/17-12:24）

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledged on Wednesday government efforts to ensure early novel coronavirus vaccinations for many people in Japan, after an inoculation campaign began for medical workers the same day.
   "The government bears responsibility for creating an environment in which many people can be vaccinated as early as possible," Suga said in a meeting of the Budget Committee of the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of parliament.
   Suga said the vaccine will be "a trump card for preventing the spread of infections," adding that the government will provide related information to encourage people to get vaccinated on their own judgment and to bring the epidemic under control.
   Also at the Lower House meeting, regulatory reform minister Taro Kono, who oversees vaccinations, reiterated that local governments can feel safe and concentrate on preparatory work to give shots to residents, as the state will cover inoculation costs.