U.S. pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc.'s novel coronavirus vaccine is likely to get fast-track approval from the Japanese government when the health ministry holds a panel meeting Feb. 15, sources close to the matter said Wednesday.

The Pfizer vaccine is the only one already under review by the ministry. Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga has vowed to secure vaccines for the country's population by the first half of 2021.

The Japanese government has agreed with Pfizer to receive a supply of the vaccine sufficient for 72 million people, or more than half the country's population of 126 million, within this year, the ministry said the same day.

The agreement secures doses for an additional 12 million people after Japan agreed last year with the drugmaker to receive doses for 60 million people.

Following a resurgence of infections, Suga declared a monthlong state of emergency on Jan. 7 for Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures, later expanding it to another seven of the country's 47 prefectures.

Vaccinations are slated to begin in Japan by late February, starting with medical workers, followed by people aged 65 or older from late March, then people with pre-existing conditions and those caring for the elderly.

Government sources have said the general population is expected to become eligible for vaccination from around May.

==Kyodo

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