The Japanese government is making arrangements to start rolling out coronavirus vaccines targeting the Omicron variant as early as September.

An earlier plan was to begin offering the shots in mid-October or later to people who have received at least two jabs. Officials want to bring the date forward as the seventh wave of infections continues in the country.

Drugmakers Pfizer and Moderna have already applied for authorization of their Omicron boosters.

The health ministry plans to ask an expert panel to take the necessary steps for approval at a meeting scheduled in mid-September.

Vaccinations are expected to start after the government finishes making arrangements with local authorities who will be in charge of the rollout.

Health minister Kato Katsunobu told reporters on Tuesday that vaccinations can start early if coordination with the drugmakers and other procedures move forward. He said his ministry is working to achieve that as it is what the public expects.

Kato added that the current plan is to administer Omicron shots to people aged 18 and older.