COVID-19 vaccination becomes a routine vaccination from October 2024 (Immunization Act Category B, for people aged 65 and over and others, once a year in autumn and winter)
Source material is a Japanese government announcement (in Japanese); this page is a summary.
From 1 October 2024 Japan moved COVID-19 vaccines into routine vaccination (Category B) under the Immunization Act, giving them once a year in autumn and winter to people aged 65 and over and others.
Key facts
| In force from | 1 October 2024 (Reiwa 6) (first period 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025) |
|---|---|
| Type of vaccination | Routine vaccination, Category B under the Immunization Act (aimed at preventing severe illness in individuals) |
| Who is vaccinated | People aged 65 and over, and people aged 60 to 64 with a certain level of disability in heart, kidney or respiratory function, or in immune function due to HIV |
| When and how often | Once a year in autumn and winter (a single dose, with no distinction between a first course and a booster) |
| Period (set by ministerial ordinance) | 1 October to 31 March of the following year, each year |
| What you pay | Set by each local government (except for people on low incomes) |
| National support | 8,300 yen per dose (tax included) to local governments for vaccine procurement (cushioning measure during the transition) |
Last checked:
From fiscal year Reiwa 6 (2024), Japan moved COVID-19 vaccines into routine vaccination (Category B) under the Immunization Act. Vaccination is for people aged 65 and over, and people aged 60 to 64 with a certain level of disability in heart, kidney or respiratory function, or in immune function due to HIV. It is given once a year in autumn and winter (a single dose, with no distinction between a first course and a booster). A ministerial ordinance sets the period each year from 1 October to 31 March of the following year, and the first period ran from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. Each local government sets how much the person vaccinated pays (except for people on low incomes), and as a cushioning measure for the move to routine vaccination the national government supports local governments' vaccine procurement with 8,300 yen per dose (tax included).
Background — why this change
Until then, COVID-19 vaccines were given to the whole population as special temporary vaccination, under a special supply system in which the national government handled procurement and delivery. From fiscal year Reiwa 6 they move to routine vaccination (Category B), with the aim of reducing severe cases by preventing severe illness in individuals; alongside this, national support for local governments' vaccine procurement acts as a cushioning measure against concerns about stable supply and procurement during the transition.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
Summaries reflect national-level programs. Municipal (city/ward/town) programs may differ — confirm with the official desk before applying.
FAQ
Who can get the routine (Category B) vaccination?
People aged 65 and over, and people aged 60 to 64 with a certain level of disability in heart, kidney or respiratory function, or in immune function due to HIV. People outside these groups, or those vaccinated outside the routine vaccination period, can be vaccinated as voluntary vaccination.
When and how many times is it given?
Once a year in autumn and winter. A ministerial ordinance sets the period each year from 1 October to 31 March of the following year, and the first period ran from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025. It is a single dose, with no distinction between a first course and a booster.
How much does it cost?
Each local government sets how much the person vaccinated pays (except for people on low incomes). As a cushioning measure during the transition, the national government supports local governments' vaccine procurement with 8,300 yen per dose (tax included). Check what you will actually pay with the local government where you live.