TOKYO -- New coronavirus variants, such as the highly infectious delta variant, are spreading rapidly in Japan. For a vaccine to be most effective, a certain period of time beyond the second dose is necessary, and people who have received only one dose are still at high risk of being infected by a mutated strain. In my case, I (age 45) was infected with a mutated strain after receiving my first vaccination at my workplace. I suffered from a high fever and severe headaches for several days. People must remain cautious about the risk of infection when not fully vaccinated.
I got my first dose of the Moderna vaccine at Nikkei's main office in Tokyo on June 24. There were no noticeable side effects, aside from some slight pain in my arm. Even after the vaccination, I avoided evening gatherings, and I commuted early in the morning and after rush hour in the evening to avoid large crowds. My second dose was scheduled for the end of July.
