A Japanese health ministry panel has said a coronavirus vaccine developed by Daiichi Sankyo can be used for inoculations in Japan. It would be the first Japanese-made COVID shot available for practical use.

The panel of experts held a meeting on Monday. The experts said they confirmed the vaccine's effectiveness, and that they have no serious concerns over its safety.

The Japanese pharmaceutical company applied in September for approval of the vaccine targeting the Omicron XBB.1.5 coronavirus subvariant.

Officials say the vaccine will be sent to municipalities across the country as early as December, after it gets formal approval from the health ministry.

Japan has been using vaccines developed by foreign firms such as Pfizer and Moderna. Daiichi Sankyo's earlier vaccine targeting the conventional type of coronavirus strain was not used for inoculations, despite gaining approval in August.

The ministry earlier said it agreed to purchase 1.4 million doses of the XBB.1.5-adapted vaccine from Daiichi Sankyo, after it gave the greenlight to the firm's plan to manufacture and sell it.