Photo/Illutration A vaccine for the Omicron strain of the novel coronavirus (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

The health ministry plans to provide novel coronavirus vaccinations once a year for people 65 and older and those at higher risk of developing severe symptoms. 

Currently, all COVID-19 vaccinations are free of charge as they are paid for at public expense.

However, ministry sources have said they are considering policy changes to dispense COVID-19 vaccinations as they would for flu shots or vaccines for other seasonal illnesses.

That means starting in the fall and winter of the next fiscal year, individuals 65 and older and those at higher risk of developing severe symptoms may have to pay for a novel coronavirus vaccination out of their own pockets.

Until the end of the current fiscal year, the vaccinations are given on a temporary basis, which is permitted under the Immunization Law only when there is an "urgent need to prevent the spread" of the disease.

This year's fall-winter inoculations, available to anyone 6 months and older, will begin on Sept. 20.

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