Japan Has Not Approved Ivermectin As a COVID Treatment
The Claim
Japan has suspended the use of Moderna vaccines and instead is using ivermectin to treat COVID-19.
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Emerging story
Blogs and social media users have been posting the claim that the Japanese Ministry of Health had suspended Moderna vaccines from circulation, and that the country is officially endorsing the use of ivermectin instead.
Misbar’s Analysis
Japan’s Ministry of Health does not list ivermectin as an approved medical product for the treatment of COVID-19. Some high profile medical officials have recommended its use, but they are not part of the Japanese government, and can only make suggestions.
Japan continues to administer Moderna vaccines. 18 million citizens have already received the Moderna vaccine, while Pfizer has been more common at 44 million. Nearly 60% of Japan’s population has been fully vaccinated.
In late August, Japan recalled 1.6 million Moderna vaccines as a precaution after contaminants had been suspected in some vials. So far, no safety issues have been identified, and they remain effective. Three people died after receiving doses of Moderna, but not from a batch that was contaminated. No causal links between the deaths and the vaccines have been found.
Clinical trials around the world, including Japan, have been ongoing to assess the efficacy of ivermectin in treating COVID. So far, several studies have shown it to be ineffective. The FDA warns against the use of ivermectin for COVID and lists possible side effects to be hypotension, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, coma, and even death.
