Writer Profile

Yuko Kitagawa
Other : Vice-President
Yuko Kitagawa
Other : Vice-President
As of May 28, 2022, ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app has concluded its workplace booster vaccination program for COVID-19. We are pleased to report that the third dose was successfully administered to 6,461 individuals over a total of 12 days, including the 10-day period from March 22 to 31 and May 21 and 28.
Immediately after Kohei Itoh assumed the role of President, ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app administered vaccinations to approximately 35,000 ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app affiliates and about 15,000 non-´ºÓêÖ±²¥app students over 58 days starting June 21, 2021. As a result, we believe we were able to suppress the fifth wave of infections in the summer of 2021 to a certain extent at each ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app campus. In line with President Itoh's policy to "reclaim the campus life of ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app students that was taken away by the COVID-19 pandemic," ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app decided to implement the third round of workplace vaccinations in preparation for the full reopening of campuses from April 2022. Unlike the start of workplace vaccinations last summer, the government shortened the vaccination interval twice from the original plan, and vaccination tickets were distributed earlier, allowing people to receive vaccinations sooner at large-scale venues or local government sites. Additionally, due to a strong tendency to avoid the Moderna vaccine out of concern for side effects, the number of people wishing to be vaccinated at ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app was lower than initially predicted. However, we were able to complete the booster vaccinations safely without any serious health issues. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude once again for the tremendous support from the faculty and staff of Mita Campus, members of the Kobai-kai, alumni of the Department of Nursing, and the Center for Infectious Disease and Infection Control.
Having completed the first and second doses of workplace vaccinations last summer and this booster vaccination, as of the 2022 academic year, although there are differences depending on the educational objectives and policies of each faculty and graduate school, more than 90% of courses across the university are being conducted in person, and many students are actively engaged on campus.
To ensure that ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app students can lead their student lives on campus with peace of mind, ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app has improved the environment by enhancing classroom ventilation facilities and taking sufficient infection prevention measures. At the same time, we are making further efforts to create new learning opportunities that utilize online classes by fully leveraging the knowledge gained over the past two years. As of July 2022, there are signs of a seventh wave due to the spread of the new Omicron subvariant BA.5. However, we intend to maintain campus life to the extent possible while taking comprehensive and appropriate infection control measures based on the various experiences accumulated so far.
Through this workplace vaccination project, I have once again deeply felt the warmth and strength of the ´ºÓêÖ±²¥app Gijuku Shachu, who care so much for their juniors. With the precious support we have received from everyone as our motivation, we will continue to strive and explore new forms of education, research, and medical care in the post-COVID era.
*Affiliations and titles are as of the time of publication.