Japan's health ministry plans to roll out the vaccines first for healthcare workers by late February. The timetable says officials are preparing to vaccinate the elderly, and then those with pre-existing conditions from late March.

Staff working at facilities for the elderly and handicapped people are also included in the third group. According to sources, the general public will be able to receive vaccinations from around May.

People under 16 years old will be excluded as clinical trials have not been expanded to children.