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Japan urges public ‘do not discriminate’ against the unvaccinated
As an increasing number of countries ramp up pressure on citizens who remain unvaccinated, one nation has an entirely different approach.
Frank Chung
@franks_chung
3 min read
December 22, 2021 - 6:35PM
news.com.au
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As an increasing number of countries ramp up pressure on citizens who continue to remain unvaccinated against coronavirus, Japan has taken the opposite approach.
Just over 78 per cent of Japan’s 126 million people are fully vaccinated, and the government has strongly encouraged all citizens to get one of the three jabs available – Pfizer, Moderna or AstraZeneca.
But unlike the heavy-handed approach of many other nations, the Japanese government says getting vaccinated is a personal choice – and warns the public not to “discriminate” against those who choose not to.
“Although we encourage all citizens to receive the Covid-19 vaccination, it is not compulsory or mandatory,” a notice on the Ministry of Health website reads.
“Vaccination will be given only with the consent of the person to be vaccinated after the information provided. Please get vaccinated of your own decision, understanding both the effectiveness in preventing infectious diseases and the risk of side effects.
“No vaccination will be given without consent. Please do not force anyone in your workplace or those who around you to be vaccinated, and do not discriminate against those who have not been vaccinated.”
A similar message appears on the website of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
“Vaccines will never be administered without the recipient’s consent,” it says.
“We urge the public never to coerce vaccinations at the workplace or upon others around them, and never to treat those who have not received the vaccine in a discriminatory manner.”
Japan has seen a sharp decline in Covid-19 cases since August, leaving experts mystified.
Last week, researchers from the Tokyo‘s Riken Institute suggested a possible genetic “X-factor” may explain the country’s success.
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READ MORE: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/japan-urges-public-do-not-discriminate-against-the-unvaccinated/news-story/45495e088470abcdb046b990a859dedb