Since the symptoms of COVID-19 infection and influenza are sometimes similar and clinically difficult to distinguish, vaccination with influenza vaccine is recommended to avoid infection.
Even if you have already had influenza this year, we believe that vaccination is more effective in avoiding infection because the type of influenza you had may be different from the seasonal influenza that will be prevalent in the 2024-25 season.
However, there is no clear data on how much time should be left between the time of illness and the time of vaccination, and we believe that an interval of about one month is acceptable.
Please read the following information first, and only after you have read and understood all of it should you inquire about and receive the influenza vaccine.
We use a 30-gauge needle, which is an ultrafine needle, to reduce pain (the speed of inoculation is a little slower).
For preschool children, we use a 27-gauge needle (fine needle) in order to prioritize the speed of inoculation.
In order to minimize the time spent in the clinic, we ask for your cooperation in the following three ways: (1) payment in advance, (2) filling out the preliminary medical examination form in advance, and (3) taking your body temperature in advance just before coming to the clinic.
The preliminary medical checkup sheet for persons aged 64 years to those equivalent to high school graduates can be downloaded from here or the web-based preliminary medical checkup sheet can be used. Pre-medical checkup forms are also available at the clinic entrance and in the clinic, so please take one home.
Subsidy Eligibility (Meguro Ward) and Preliminary Medical Examination Form
- 6 months to 12 years old : 2,000 yen subsidy per visit (2 subsidies)_Preliminary checkup form can be picked up at the clinic.
- 13 years old - equivalent to a senior in high school:
2,000 yen subsidy per visit (one time subsidy). Preliminary checkup form is available at the clinic.
(*Please bring your Meguro City Children's Medical Card if you fall under 1 or 2.) - Equivalent to high school graduation - 64 years old
：Not subsidized. Pre-checkup form can be picked up at the clinic OR downloaded OR web pre-checkup form - 60-64 years old with underlying disease : (Equivalent to Level 1 of the physically disabled): 2,500 yen. Apply for a preliminary checkup sheet at the Immunization Section of the Public Health and Preventive Affairs Division by yourself.
- 65-69 years old : 2,500 yen. Pre-checkup sheets will be sent out from Meguro Ward in due course.
- 70 years old and over: Free of charge_Preliminary checkup sheets will be sent out from Meguro Ward in due course. (* Those born before January 1, 1955)
This year, for those who have paid the price of inoculation in advance through the reservation system (GMO), it will be assumed that they have made a reservation = stock has been secured.
However, those 65 years of age or older who have a preliminary checkup sheet for the elderly in Meguro Ward can be vaccinated without an appointment if there is enough stock.
Please make reservations and pre-payments through GMO reservation system whenever possible.
Simultaneous vaccination with the COVID-19 vaccine is possible.
Availability of the COVID-19 vaccine is limited, so please check availability through the medical appointment system.
Reservation slots open approximately every month due to inventory adjustments.
The period of validity of the inoculation for those eligible for the subsidy is from October 1, 2024 to January 31, 2025.
FluMist Influenza Vaccine, Live, Intranasal
It has been approved in the U.S. since 2003, but was approved for production and marketing in Japan in 2023. Unlike conventional injections, the spray is simply sprayed inside the nose, making it painless. only a limited number of 40 will be available at our clinic for the 2024-25 season, so please consider purchasing one.
- Age range in Japan: 2 to 19 years old
- Number of inoculations: 1 time (0.1 ml on each side)
- District subsidy: Not applicable
- Price: 8,800 yen
- Typical adverse reactions: nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, cough, sore throat, influenza (<2%)
- People for whom vaccination is not recommended: history of asthma attacks within a year, severe egg or gelatin allergy, immunodeficiency diseases, pregnant women, strong rhinitis symptoms or colds.
Indications and effects
Indications
Those who have a preliminary checkup sheet for the elderly in Meguro Ward can be vaccinated if there is enough stock without pre-payment /reservation.
For those who wish to receive vaccinations other than the above, please make a reservation at GMO, as all vaccinations are secured in stock through advance payment.
Effects
The cost of inoculation
| 6 months to under 3 years old (Meguro Ward subsidizes 2,000 yen from the right. 2 times) |
2,700Yen |
| 3 years old and over and under 13 years old (Meguro Ward subsidizes 2,000 yen from the right. 2 times) |
3,400Yen |
| 13 years old and up to the equivalent of a senior in high school (Meguro Ward subsidizes 2,000 yen from the right. One time) |
3,400Yen |
| Equivalent to high school graduation - 64 years old (no subsidy) | 3,400Yen |
| 65 years old (born before January 1, 1960) to under 70 years old (born on or after January 2, 1955) |
2,500Yen |
| 70 years old or older (born before January 1, 1955) with a preliminary checkup sheet from Meguro Ward | Free of charge |
Those 65 years of age or older who have a Meguro Ward Preliminary Checkup Sheet for the Elderly can receive the vaccine without an appointment if the vaccine is in stock.
(The same for those 60-64 years of age who are at risk for serious illness.)
If you fill out the preliminary checkup form for the Meguro Ward 2,000 yen subsidy (for 6 months to 3rd year high school students), you will receive a discount from the above amount. The preliminary checkup sheet is available in the clinic so please take it home and fill it out in advance.
Reservations / Clinic Hours / Vaccination Procedures
Reservations
Reception Hours
| Weekdays & Weekends | Daytime | Reception from 9:00 to 13:00 |
| Weekdays | Nighttime | Reception from 17:00 to 20:00 |
Clinic hours may change on some days. Please be sure to check our business hours via announcements or X(Twitter) before coming to the clinic.
We have introduced a web-based medical checkup sheet from this season, so please take advantage of it.
Precautions for vaccinations
- Our clinic offers vaccinations from 6 months of age and older.
- To prevent infection in children under 6 months of age, vaccination of pregnant women is considered important.
- In Japan, two vaccinations are recommended for children under 13 years of age. (The same applies if the child turns 13 years old after the initial vaccination.)
- In the U.S., two vaccinations are recommended for children under 9 years of age, and if a child has received a total of two vaccinations in the past, a single vaccination is sufficient thereafter.
- The interval between the first and second vaccinations is 2 to 4 weeks in Japan (preferably 4 weeks or more, and 4 weeks in the U.S.), and the vaccination can be given any time after 2 weeks from the first time.
- Please make another appointment as we cannot guarantee the availability of the second vaccine.
- Junior high school students and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
- After vaccination, antibody production takes about 2 to 4 weeks, and the effect is considered to last about 5 months.
It is a quadrivalent vaccine with 2 strains of type A and 2 strains of type B. - We inject intramuscularly as is the policy of the U.S. CDC. If you prefer a subcutaneous injection, please let us know.
- Please note that vaccination is not available for those who have a temperature of 37.5°C or higher at the time of visit or are in a state of acute illness.
- If the individual is in good health, there is generally no need to discontinue the vaccination even if the individual has cold symptoms such as a slight fever, minor cough, nasal discharge, or sore throat.
- We recommend early vaccination because the epidemic season is unpredictable, and it is difficult to distinguish from COVID-19 infection at the time of fever.
- For those who have other vaccinations scheduled in the near future, such as infants, simultaneous vaccination is recommended whenever possible.
- The influenza vaccine does not require an interval period between vaccinations with the COVID-19 vaccine.
Precautions after Vaccination
- There are no restrictions on bathing on the day of vaccination.
- However, strenuous exercise and alcohol consumption should be avoided.
- It takes two to four weeks for antibody production to show efficacy.
- People often contract influenza even after vaccination. This year, it will be very difficult to distinguish it from COVID 19 infection, so be sure to spend time with frequent hand washing, wearing a mask, cough etiquette, moderate humidification, quiet rest, and keeping physical distancing with others, avoiding poor ventilation, large numbers of people gathering together, and conversation and vocalization in close proximity to others.
- Minor fever and local swelling may occur on the day of or the day after vaccination.
In such cases, please monitor your condition first. If any other strong adverse reactions are observed, please contact us as soon as possible.
Corporate Support
We can provide on-site vaccinations (travel expenses not included) and bulk billing, but please contact us using the inquiry form for details so that we can determine if t we can accommodate your needs based on location, desired time, and number of employees.
