On Oct. 2, 2020, AstraZeneca announced the phase I/II clinical trial for the COVID-19 vaccine AZD1222 had resumed in Japan after discussion with the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA). A standard review process triggered a voluntary pause to vaccination across all global trials on 6 September to allow review of safety data by an independent committee.

Their recommendations were supported by international regulators in the UK, Brazil, South Africa, India and now in Japan, who have deemed that the trials are safe to resume.