Japan has started a new coronavirus vaccination program aimed at all residents aged six months or older in its effort to counteract an expected rise of cases during the winter.

The program began on Wednesday.

The vaccines used in the program are designed to provide protection against the XBB-related subvariants of the Omicron coronavirus.

Residents who want to get vaccinated need to get tickets from their local governments. They can receive a Pfizer or Moderna shot at hospitals and other venues.

The government in May downgraded the legal status of the virus to the same category as seasonal influenza.

The health ministry has introduced an extraordinary measure to keep coronavirus vaccinations free of charge until the end of fiscal 2023 in March next year.

The health ministry has instructed local officials to recommend that the elderly and those with underlying diseases get new vaccinations. The ministry has not issued a recommendation for healthy people aged 65 or younger to get the shot.

Health officials say simultaneous administration of coronavirus and influenza vaccines does not affect their safety and effectiveness. Many local authorities are due to start providing flu vaccines next month.

The health ministry says it has secured 20 million doses of Pfizer vaccines and 5 million from Moderna.

The ministry calls on people who want to get the vaccine to check the availability with local government offices or websites.