Last month, tens of thousands of people in Japan filled the streets to protest a new COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine is part of a new category called “self-amplifying mRNA,” which scientists say could change how vaccines work. The protests took place from September 24 to 28 during an event called the International Crisis Summit (ICS) in Tokyo, where people gathered to voice their concerns about the vaccine and the influence of the World Health Organization (WHO).
What’s the New Vaccine?
Japan is set to introduce this new vaccine, known as “Kostaive” or ARCT-154, this October. It’s designed to combat COVID-19 and is the first of its kind to be approved in Japan. The vaccine is being made by a company called CSL in partnership with Arcturus Therapeutics.
While the companies claim the vaccine has shown good results in clinical trials, some experts are worried. They believe that the technology used in these vaccines, which comes from viruses, could potentially spread risks beyond just humans.
Why Are People Worried?
The self-amplifying mRNA vaccine works differently than regular mRNA vaccines. Regular vaccines tell our cells to make a spike protein to help fight the virus. The new saRNA vaccines, however, create a kind of “factory” in our cells that continuously produces this protein. Critics of this technology have called it the “third atomic bomb,” fearing that it could pose serious health risks due to its newness and lack of long-term safety data.
Dr. Nicolas Hulscher, an epidemiologist, raised concerns about the clinical trials for ARCT-154, which reported a staggering 90% of participants experiencing adverse effects after the first dose. Many of these effects were severe enough to need medical attention.
Personal Stories from the Protests
During the protests, people shared their own struggles with vaccine side effects. One former healthcare worker, Misu from Ibaraki Prefecture, spoke about her ongoing pain and fatigue after getting vaccinated. She urged the government and media to pay attention to the suffering caused by vaccines.
In a related story, Japan’s largest broadcaster, NHK, aired a segment featuring real people discussing their experiences with vaccine side effects. One viewer mentioned dealing with severe headaches that have persisted for over two years.
Government Response and Growing Distrust
After the NHK feature, Japan’s Health Minister, Keizō Takemi, was cautious in his response to whether vaccine-related health issues could be classified as drug-induced injuries. This uncertainty has fueled distrust among the public.
Notably, this protest isn’t the first of its kind this year. In April, many Japanese citizens demonstrated against the WHO’s Pandemic Treaty and the introduction of mRNA flu vaccines. Former government official Kazuhiro Haraguchi even apologized to those affected by vaccine-related injuries, stating that many lives could have been saved with better handling of the vaccine rollout.
The growing unrest in Japan highlights a significant divide between the government’s push for new vaccines and the citizens’ fears about safety. As the country prepares to roll out the self-amplifying mRNA vaccine, the protests signify a call for more transparency and accountability regarding vaccine safety and its effects on the population. With voices from both experts and everyday citizens rising in concern, this story is far from over.
