Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Catch-up Vaccination [Updated November 15, 2024]

Starting in fiscal 2013, the human papillomavirus infection vaccination (cervical cancer vaccine) was added to the list of routine vaccinations available at public expense to girls from the sixth grade of elementary school to the first year of high school.
However, due to rare cases of health damage after vaccination, such as severe allergic reactions, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued a recommendation to municipalities across the country in June 2013 that "regular vaccinations should not be discontinued, but they should not be actively recommended." In light of this recommendation, our city also suspended issuing recommendation notices. However, in light of the recommendation being repealed in November 2021, we have resumed individual recommendations to eligible individuals from April 2022.
In conjunction with the resumption of individual recommendations to those eligible for regular vaccinations, the national government has established a "catch-up vaccination" system, which began in April 2022, allowing people who exceeded the age limit for regular vaccinations and missed the opportunity to be vaccinated during the period when the city refrained from issuing recommendation notices from fiscal 2013 to fiscal 2021 to receive the vaccination at public expense.
Since fiscal year 2022, our city has been sending postcards each year to those who are eligible for catch-up vaccinations but have not completed all three vaccinations, encouraging them to get vaccinated. Detailed information is posted on the city's website, and we also announced in the July 15, 2024 issue of our city newsletter that catch-up vaccinations will end at the end of fiscal year 2024, and have been urging people to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
However, starting around the summer of 2024, vaccine manufacturers began airing commercials announcing the end of catch-up vaccinations. As a result, there was a sharp increase in last-minute vaccinations across the country, resulting in a shortage of vaccines. As a result, adjustments to shipping volumes have been made since early October, and we have received information that production is currently being increased to ensure supply.
Although production is being increased, there is no clear outlook for the vaccine shortage to be resolved in the near future, and some people who wish to receive catch-up vaccination may not be able to complete the three doses due to the vaccine shortage.
We have no choice but to say that the current vaccine shortage is the result of an overly optimistic outlook for vaccination rates by the national government. As a city, we believe that it is the national government's responsibility to extend the catch-up period, and we are making preparations to make a request to the national government as soon as possible. However, in the unlikely event that the national government decides not to extend the system period, the city will consider implementing its own relief measures.
Currently, there is a shortage of vaccines, but there is an outlook for a gradual recovery in supply. If you are concerned about this, we ask that you contact your health center or a city-designated medical institution and consider getting vaccinated as soon as possible.