Injections of Japan's first domestically produced coronavirus vaccine began across the country this month.

The mRNA vaccine developed by major Japanese pharmaceutical firm Daiichi Sankyo was approved for use in Japan last month.

Japan's vaccination program had offered only products made by foreign firms, such as Pfizer or Moderna.

The Daiichi Sankyo vaccine is effective against the XBB subvariant of the coronavirus Omicron variant. It is given to people aged 12 and older who are receiving their third or later shots.

A Tokyo clinic began administering the vaccine on Wednesday to people who had made appointments.

It first briefed them on the vaccine's safety and efficacy.

A doctor at the clinic, Tabata Masahiko, said the vaccine's efficacy is about the same as others, but the fact that it's produced in Japan frees him from worrying about supply.

Vaccination is now available for free in Japan to anyone aged six months or older, in anticipation of a rise in coronavirus cases this winter.