Japan’s vaccine programme chief Taro Kono denies reports of May roll-out

People wearing protective masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walk along pedestrian crossings in Tokyo Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. - AP

TOKYO (Reuters): The chief of Japan’s Covid-19 vaccination programme denied on Wednesday (Jan 20) media reports that vaccinations for the general public may start in May, as the country battles a third wave that has brought record numbers of infections and serious cases.

Media, including public broadcaster NHK, had cited an anonymous source close to the government as saying vaccinations could reach the public as soon as May.