THE NATIONAL PROGRAM FOR COVID-19 VACCINES is currently underway, with doctors and medical staff first in line to receive the vaccinations. Notices for Yokohama residents should be arriving through the mail for specific starting dates and vaccination center locations beginning in March. The second phase recipients will be residents reaching 65 and over this year. The vaccines will be available free of cost to all residents. Although the new dedicated call center phone numbers are not yet available as this notice goes to print, advice will be available for non-Japanese speaking residents at any time through International Lounges operated at locations throughout the city by the respective wards such as the Naka Ward International Lounge (045-210-0667) and foreign language advisory centers operated by YOKE (045-222-1209 ).
Details are available on a Yokohama City site dedicated to COVID-19, with timely updates for residents seeking the vaccines.
POLLEN ALERT
Though seasonal influenza numbers declined dramatically this past season, not so the projections for this year’s hay fever and allergies. Pollen count is already on a steep rise, due, in part, to the number of mature cedar and other pollen-rich trees, along with record heat of the previous summer. Masks have become de rigueur in these times of the corona, which will also help to protect wearers from exposure to pollen. Typical allergies are associated with runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes but commonly, not coughing. COVID-19, on the other hand, may range from asymptomatic, or mild cold-like symptoms, to severe pneumonia, accompanied by fevers and aches.
One significant difference which is worth remembering is that pollen allergies are not known to affect the sense of smell unless there is significant clogging of the nasal passage.
Consult your physician for advice. For home remedies, look no further than your local drug store which will have entire sections of the store dedicated to everything from the usual medications, to nasal sprays, humidifiers, air purifiers and a full fashion range of the latest mask designs.
This page has been brought to you as a public service of the Yokohama BLUFF CLINIC.
*Please note that the hours of the Clinic will change from March 31st. Please visit our website for specific hours.