In March 2022, people wearing masks are seen in Kita Ward, Osaka.
17:19 JST, April 25, 2024
A panel of government experts on Wednesday broadly approved a revised draft action plan on infectious diseases to prepare for the next pandemic.
Based on the lessons of the novel coronavirus crisis, the review calls for the introduction of “flexible and rapid” action in infection prevention measures to balance social and economic activities.
The cabinet will approve the draft in June, after seeking advice from the public. The action plan for measures against new types of flu and other infectious diseases was formulated in 2013 and is being fundamentally revised for the first time.
The proposed plan includes thirteen items, including seven newly added items on vaccines and border control measures, among others. A summary of the actions to be taken at each stage of preparation was provided, plus initial responses and full-fledged responses. The review states that measures such as states of emergency and quasi-urgent priority measures will be implemented, if necessary, in times of high pressure on healthcare systems, even if scientific findings are inconclusive.
It stressed that the measures would be flexibly adapted to circumstances, such as the availability of vaccines and therapeutic drugs, to “mitigate the impact on people’s lives and on social and economic activities.”
Regarding vaccines, the panel outlined a policy to promote research and development in normal times, and to establish the necessary systems for the production, distribution and administration of vaccines in case of emergency.
In addition to stockpiling essential supplies such as masks by central and local governments, the plan calls for promoting the production and import of supplies in case of emergency and establishing a system to ensure distribution of the products to medical institutions to ensure. and other organizations. The action plan will be revised approximately every six years.
