Frequently Asked Questions (COVID-19 vaccine)
Last updated date：2021/6/9
Vaccine appointments
Q
How do I make an appointment to get vaccinated?
A
Residents may be vaccinated either via “mass vaccinations” at public assembly halls and similar places or via “individual vaccinations” at health care facilities such as hospitals and clinics.
1. How to book an appointment at a mass vaccination site
Appointments can be made from a PC or smartphone (dedicated appointment booking website) or by calling the appointments call center. Days appointments can be made will be listed on the city website.
| Appointments website URL | Listed on the guidance pamphlet included with your individual notice. |
|---|---|
| Yokohama COVID-9 Vaccine Appointment Call Center phone number | 0120-045-112 |
2. How to book an individual vaccination appointment
There are 2 ways to make appointments for individual vaccinations. See this page for details: Individual vaccinations（外部サイト）.
Q
Can I make an appointment at a Ward Administration Office or City Hall?
A
Ward Administration Offices and City Hall do not take appointments.
Q
Can I make an appointment by email?
A
Appointments cannot be booked by email.
Q
Can I get the first and second vaccinations at the same venue?
A
Appointments are taken to let residents get both the first and second vaccinations at the same venue as much as possible. As vaccination venues are expanded, residents will be able to get shots at different venues.
(Ex.) If you made an appointment for the first shot of vaccine on May 17 (Monday), you can arrange to get the second shot three weeks later on June 7 (Monday) at the same time and place.
About the pre-vaccination medical history questionnaire in the individual notice
Q
The individual notice included a pre-vaccination medical history questionnaire for my first shot, but where do I get the questionnaire for my second shot?
A
The questionnaire for the second shot will be provided at the mass vaccination venue or individual vaccination venue (health care facility) where you get the first shot.
Please get a questionnaire at the venue when you get your first shot.
Q
What should I put in the upper right of the questionnaire that says “vaccine voucher” or “coupon”?
A
You only need to fill in the required blanks with thick lines. Do not write or paste anything in the upper right and bring it with you to the vaccination venue.
General vaccine information
Q
Is there a cost to get the vaccine? (Will I have to pay anything out of pocket?)
A
The national government will cover all vaccine costs and you do not need to pay anything yourself. However, individual medical fees may be charged normally for medical treatment received before or after the vaccination.
Q
How many times do I need to get a shot?
A
The vaccines currently approved for use in Japan both require two shots for full effectiveness (with 3-4 weeks’ time in between shots)
Q
I heard you have to get two shots of the vaccine, but is just one shot effective?
A
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, clinical trials of the Pfizer vaccine conducted overseas suggest that the best safety and efficacy of the vaccine is achieved when you have had the first shot, waited 18-22 days, and then received the second shot..
Q
What’s the schedule for elderly residents in Yokohama to get the vaccine?
A
Long term care facility vaccinations for elderly residents staying there started April 12.
After that, 19 vaccination venues in 18 wards opened for mass vaccinations on May 17, and individual vaccinations at local clinics and hospitals started on May 24. Other venues opened as of June 7, and venues are planned to be further expanded.
Q
Do I have to get the vaccine?
A
The vaccine is provided based on consent of the person or guardian of the person receiving it. No one who does not consent to get the vaccine will be vaccinated.
Q
Is there somewhere I can ask for information about the vaccine?
A
A call center in Yokohama answers questions about the vaccine.
| Phone number | 0120-045-070 (free dial) *Many residents have called the wrong number. Please check the number carefully when calling. |
|---|---|
| FAX | 050-3588-7191 *Consultation by FAX available for residents with hearing loss. |
| Hours of operation | 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. including weekends and public holidays |
| Language guidance | 8 languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Spanish, Portuguese) |
Individual notices (including vaccine vouchers)
Q
When will individual notices arrive for non-elderly residents (less than 65 years old)?
A
Dates for distributing individual notices for non-elderly residents have not yet been finalized. Please wait for further announcements.
Q
A lot of documents arrived, but what do I need to take to the venue on the day of the vaccination?
A
Bring with you the (1) vaccine voucher (2) Pre-vaccination medical history questionnaire and (3) a form of ID to verify your identity.
| Forms of ID |
|---|
Ai no techo (handbook for the mentally disabled), Airman Skill Certificate, Airworthiness inspector's certificate, |
| If you have a "certificate of receipt of public assistance" or "certificate of request for medical treatment on holidays or at night," please present a copy of the "certificate of receipt of public assistance" or "certificate of request for medical treatment on holidays or at night. * When using the “Certificate of Payment for Livelihood Protection Expenses” or “Certificate of Request for Medical Treatment on Holidays / Nights, etc.,” please also copy the side on which the official seal is printed. |
Q
A vaccine voucher for a family member who is staying in a long term care facility arrived at our home, what should we do?
A
• If your family member is staying in an elderly care facility or assisted living facility, the facility may provide the vaccination on-site.
• Even if getting the vaccination on-site at a care facility, a vaccine voucher is needed that will be delivered to your home address (for both facilities inside and outside the city)
• Please inquire at the facility where your family member is staying about whether they will provide vaccinations and handling of vaccine vouchers.
Q
I lost my vaccine voucher and want to get another one.
A
You can request your vaccine voucher to be re-issued one of the following ways:
• Telephone (Yokohama COVID-19 Vaccine Call Center)
• Online (Yokohama City Electronic Application / Notification System)
• Mail
Be aware it will take around 10 days to reissue the vaccination voucher after the application is received.
Please see this page for details: Re-issuing COVID-19 vaccination vouchers
Q
I want to change the address where my individual notice (and vaccine voucher) will be sent.
A
The resident or a legal representative (adult guardian, guardian, assistant, voluntary guardian) can apply for the voucher to be sent to a different address.
Note that a re-issue of a notice to a different address can only be requested by mail. Also, it will take around 10 days to reissue the vaccination voucher after the application is received.
See this page for details: Re-issuing COVID-19 vaccination vouchers
Q
I recently moved here. How can I get the individual notice (and vaccine voucher)?
A
The individual notices distributed starting at the end of April were sent to Yokohama residents registered as of February 16, 2021.
For residents who moved to Yokohama on February 17, 2021 or later: Individual notices for
•New Yokohama residents who moved to the city and submitted a change-of-residence application between February 17, 2021, and April 28, 2021
→individual notices will be sent to their new address starting in late May.
•New Yokohama residents who moved to the city and submitted a change-of-residence application on April 29, 2021 or later
→Yokohama will send out application forms to issue a vaccination voucher about two weeks after change of residence forms are submitted. Please fill out and submit the application once it arrives. After your application is received, it will take about two weeks to issue you a vaccination voucher.
Vaccination venues
Q
Where can I get vaccinated?
A
See this page for a list of mass vaccination venues. Note that you can get the vaccine at venues in wards other than where you live in Yokohama.
Q
Do hospitals and clinics take vaccine appointments?
A
The city website lists health care facilities where appointments can be made:
Individual vaccinations（外部サイト）
Q
Can I get vaccinated outside Yokohama?
A
If you are hospitalized or a resident patient, a worker posted away from home, a student in a remote boarding area, the victim of domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, or similar acts, or are in a position of other unavoidable circumstances, you may get the vaccine outside of the area on your certificate of residence.
Contact the municipality where you will get vaccinated for details of how to apply.
Q
Can I get vaccinated in Yokohama if I don’t have a certificate of residence for the city?
A
If you are hospitalized or a resident patient, a worker posted away from home, a student in a remote boarding area, the victim of domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, or similar acts, or are in a position of other unavoidable circumstances, you may get the vaccine outside of the area on your certificate of residence.
Applications can be made online or by mail.
•Online
COVID-19 Vaccine Navi（外部サイト）: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare(Japanese)
•Mail
For details contact the call center or see this page: Vaccinations outside the registered area
Note that if it is difficult for you to apply to the municipal government for one of the reasons below, you may omit the application by informing your doctor when you get the vaccine.
•Hospitalized/resident patient
•When vaccinated by primary physician due to an underlying condition
•When vaccinated at a specially equipped facility because the risk of side reactions is high, etc.
Q
It’s hard for me to go to a mass vaccination venue, how can I get the vaccine?
A
If it is difficult for you to visit a mass vaccination venue, you can instead get an individual vaccination at a local hospital or clinic.
Also, if you are receiving home care or it is difficult for you to leave your home, please wait for further announcements, as we are currently recruiting health care facilities to perform in-home vaccinations.
Q
When will the public facilities being used as mass vaccination venues be available for public use again?
A
Public facilities used for mass vaccinations are currently scheduled to be in use until the end of September. They will be reopened for public use after consideration of the current status of vaccinations.
Side effects and reactions
Q
What kinds of side effects can the vaccine cause?
A
Experts from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare report that the vaccines from overseas manufacturers that will be supplied to Japan, the Pfizer vaccine, has been seen to cause pain in the area that received the shot, as well as headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and so on immediately after the shot.
In Japan, there have been reports of health care workers who received the vaccine experienced anaphylaxis, an acute allergic reaction to components within the vaccine.
The city will continue to collect and report to residents information collected about the vaccine from experts at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Q
Who can I talk to about vaccine side effects?
A
Kanagawa-ken COVID-19 Side Reactions Consultation Call Center
TEL: 045-285-0719 (open 24 hours)
Service: inquiries about ongoing side effects following a vaccination, specific inquiries that require the opinion of a medical professional.
*Introductions to individual health care facilities not provided. If you desire to be examined, consult your family physician or the facility where you were vaccinated.
*Residents with hearing loss can consult by FAX.
【FAX】045-633-3770
See the URL below to download the FAX form.
https://www.pref.kanagawa.jp/docs/ga4/covid19/vaccine.html（外部サイト） (Japanese)
Q
What should I do if I feel unwell?
A
You will be asked to wait at the venue for a time after getting the vaccine.
If you start to feel unwell, on-site health workers will administer appropriate treatment.
At the doctor’s discretion, you will be given emergency medical treatment or conveyed to a hospital.
We have distributed a guide to treating the first stages of anaphylactic shock and are preparing additional measures to provide care in the event it occurs.
Q
Can I get compensation if there are health problems related to side effects from the vaccine?
A
If you develop health problems caused by getting the vaccine that require treatment at a health care facility, or experience a disability, you can receive relief (medical expenses subsidy or disability pension) under the Immunization Act.
[Related information]
Vaccine health problems relief system （外部サイト）(Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)(Japanese)
Vaccine approval
Q
I want to know about the fast-track approval of these vaccines.
A
（１） Pfizer vaccine（PDF：176KB）(Japanese)
（２）Moderna vaccine（PDF：182KB）(Japanese)
Can I get the vaccine?
Q
I became ill after a vaccination in the past. Can I get the vaccine?
A
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has said that those to whom any of the below applies should be cautious about getting the vaccine.
Please consult your primary physician or call the dedicated MHLW hotline before deciding whether to get the vaccine.
•Those receiving anticoagulsant therapy, or who have thrombocytopenia or coagulopathy
Bleeding or bruising may occur when getting this vaccine.
•Those who have been diagnosed with immunodeficiency in the past, or those with relatives who have congenital immunodeficiency
This vaccine may cause a lowered immune system response.
•Those with cardiovascular, kidney, or liver diseases, blood disorders, or have underlying conditions such as developmental disorders
•Those who have developed a fever or displayed symptoms of an allergic reaction such as a full-body rash within 2 days of getting a shot for a vaccination
•Those with a history of seizures or convulsions
•If you may have an allergy to any of the ingredients in the vaccine
Q
I have an underlying condition, but it is OK for me to get the vaccine?
A
Residents with underlying conditions who wish to get the vaccine are asked to consider whether the benefits of getting vaccinated outweigh the potential risks.
Please consult your doctor before getting the vaccine.
Q
Can I get the vaccine if I’m pregnant?
A
Residents who are pregnant may get the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, while there has been no particular cause for concern based on the use of the vaccine overseas, because specific safety data is not yet available, pregnant women or women who may be pregnant are asked to consider the benefits and risks before getting the vaccine.
Please consult your primary physician if you have concerns about whether to get the vaccine.
Q
Can children get the vaccine?
A
Children 12 years of age or older or who will be on the day are eligible to get the vaccine. Also, the Pfizer vaccine is approved for children 12 and older, but the Takeda/Moderna vaccine is only approved for those 18 and older, so those younger than 18 cannot get the Takeda/Moderna vaccine.
Note that vaccines are approved these age groups based on the current scientific consensus, and approval of their use may be expanded in the future.
Q
A member of my family has dementia, so we can’t get their consent. Should they get the vaccine?
A
In situations where it is difficult to confirm if someone wishes to get the vaccine, if family members or caregivers at long term care or other health care facilities can establish their consent with the help of a doctor, then they can get the vaccine. If consent cannot be confirmed, they cannot get the vaccine.
Q
I have already contracted the coronavirus disease. Can I get the vaccine?
A
Those who have already contracted the coronavirus disease can also get the COVID-19 vaccine.
However, depending on the type of treatment you received, it may be necessary to wait for a certain period of time after treatment has ended before you can get the vaccine.
If you are unsure about when it is safe for you to get the vaccine, please consult the doctor at the facility where you were treated or your primary physician.
Additionally, you are not required to get tested to see if you have previously contracted the disease.
