In Japan, some stores are refusing to serve vaccinated people. The reason is rumors about the Covid-19 vaccine ARCT-154. This vaccine temporarily increases the amount of mRNA in cells.
Since the vaccine was approved, rumors have been circulating online that vaccinated people could transmit components of the virus to others.
Vaccinated people should no longer enter stores
In response, some stores are denying services to vaccinated people. The hot yoga studio chain LAVA asks on its website that vaccinated people not enter the facilities until the safety of the vaccine is confirmed.
A dental clinic in Tokyo is asking vaccinated patients to wait six months after vaccination before visiting the clinic again. A spokesman for the clinic explained that this measure was taken based on information from the Internet and books that pointed out possible dangers.
A hair salon in Maebashi is also turning away vaccinated customers. The owner said she learned about the risks online and distrusted the government and media for not informing about the downsides of the Covid-19 vaccines.
Japan’s health minister tries to calm people down
Health Minister Takamaro Fukuoka tried to allay fears. At a press conference on October 4, he said there was no scientific evidence that components of the vaccine could be transmitted to others and cause health problems. He promised further safety investigations and measures as soon as new information becomes available.
During clinical trials in Japan, some patients reported pain at the injected sites and fatigue as side effects. Most symptoms were mild or moderate and disappeared after a few days.
Japan is the first country to use a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine. The Health Ministry’s expert committee that approved the Replicon vaccine emphasized the need to provide thorough information about how the vaccine works and the possibility of remaining in the body.
