Kirk here with information about Kumamoto’s vaccination rates, prospects for getting vaccinated in the near future, and recent COVID-19 infections.
First, in regard to recent infections, rates remain high. Yesterday was 267, just under the high of 271. Source:
On a more positive note, however, vaccination rates in Kumamoto have improved significantly. The percentage of the population that have gotten at least their first shot is 58%. If I’m not mistaken, this would be the 2nd highest in the country after Yamaguchi prefecture, which is 60%. Source:
https://vdata.nikkei.com/newsgraphics/coronavirus-japan-vaccine-status/
This percentage differs slightly from the percentage reported on the prefecture’s page, which is 64.81％ for having at least the first shot. I think the reason is that the prefecture is presenting the percentage of people who are eligible to receive the vaccine. Children under 12 can’t get it so removing them from the statistics raises the percentage. Source:
The following news report said that the government’s position used to be that areas where vaccination rates were high would get more vaccine (to keep the flow going, I guess) but that that policy has been reversed. Now, areas like Kumamoto will get much less vaccine so that areas with lower vaccination rates (and rising COVID-19 rates) can get more. That has led to what the article calls “vaccine refugees” – people who got the first shot but who are now “stranded” waiting for a second shot that’s no where in sight. Source:
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/76a075aee7c61e78b5e90824cc1fb9ad220364af
If you haven’t been vaccinated at all yet, I’m not sure but I think the next round will start in October, at least that’s what I remember hearing on the news. Update: See Megan Pavlak’s comment below. She has a good information about upcoming vaccination opportunities.
Thanks to Claire Sezaki for pointing me to the prefecture’s pages I cited today. :)