Shibuya youth vaccine site overwhelmed on 1st day; queues began forming overnight

A COVID-19 inoculation site for young people in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward got off to a rocky start Aug. 27 after the capital dramatically underestimated the size of the crowd that would turn up. Registration was supposed to begin at 11:50 a.m., but a line had formed by sunrise and every slot was filled by 7:30 a.m. According to officials, around 15 people were already waiting in line when staff arrived at the facility at 4 a.m. Some said they had been waiting overnight. Dozens of people arrived at around 10 a.m., thinking they had ample time to claim a spot, only to find that registration had ended hours earlier and that they would have to return another day. The confusion and disarray meant many left frustrated, empty-handed and unvaccinated. The site was meant to offer people between the ages of 16 and 39 a way to get vaccinated without a reservation — especially those who haven’t been able to book an appointment at a local clinic or inoculation venue. (The Japan Times) This article was provided by The Japan Times Alpha.