Japan’s health ministry plans to include people with intellectual disabilities in a priority list for coronavirus vaccinations, ministry officials said Thursday.
The decision was made because the study shows that people with Intellectual disabilities carry a higher risk of death from coronavirus. The plan was approved on March 18.
2.1 million people, which includes in-patients and people who have intellectual disability or rehabilitation certificates, are expected to join the list.
Japan’s COVID-19 vaccination program began on February 17, with health care staff will be vaccinated first.
COVID-19 vaccination is slated to start on April 12 for older people aged 65 or above and later for people with medical conditions, such as respiratory issues and heart disease.
The addition of people with intellectual disabilities and disabilities is expected to boost the total number of people with underlying conditions on the priority list to 10.3 million.
