Acceptance of a COVID-19 Vaccine in Japan during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Vaccination could be a key protective measure against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and it is important to understand the acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine among the general public. However, there is no study on the acceptance of a COVID-19 vaccine in Japan. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy situation in Japan and assess the factors associated with such issues. This was a cross-sectional study based on an internet survey completed by 2956 people. Participants were asked to indicate how likely they were to get vaccinated for COVID-19. In addition, the participants responded to questions regarding sociodemographic factors, attitudes, and beliefs regarding COVID-19 infection and vaccination. The proportion of participants with a high likelihood of getting a COVID-19 vaccine was 62.1%. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that vaccine acceptance was lower among several sociodemographic groups, such as women, adults aged 20–49 years, and those with a low-income level. Several psychological factors, especially the perceived effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, and willingness to protect others by getting oneself vaccinated, were associated with vaccine acceptance. Our results indicate that the perceived effectiveness of the vaccine and willingness to protect others may play an important role in the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Rate and Predictors of Hesitancy toward SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine among Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Results from an Italian Survey

“…Similarly, low influenza vaccination coverage rates were reported in patients with metabolic disorders and with more comorbidities [ 14 ]. In agreement with previous studies [ 12 , 13 ], older subjects, men, and those who had been previously vaccinated were more prone toward vaccination, while adverse reactions experienced following previous vaccinations significantly contributed to VH [ 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

Willing or Hesitant? A Socioeconomic Study on the Potential Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine in Japan

“…Our findings show that willingness to take vaccine and vaccine hesitancy in Japan changed over time. Yoda and Katsuyama [ 23 ] and Machida et al [ 33 ] reported that 65.7% and 62.1% of Japanese were willing to be vaccinated and that 34.27% and 37.9% were hesitant or would refuse vaccination, respectively. After the vaccination program’s deployment in Japan from February 2021, 46.62% of Japanese were willing to be vaccinated ( Table 3 ).…”

“…Hence, this willingness may have changed over time, especially during the vaccination’s actual rollout as people see reports of the vaccine efficacy rate, mild side-effects such as allergic reactions, and further vaccine safety tests [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. In Japan, although an earlier survey in September 2020 found that approximately 66% of Japanese were willing to vaccinate [ 23 ], public willingness has changed since the receipt of the first vaccine in December 2020 [ 32 , 33 ]. Machida et al [ 33 ], who conducted a survey from 14 to 18 January 2021, found that approximately 62% of Japanese are more willing to receive COVID-19 vaccination, as reported vaccine allergy cases started to appear in the Japanese media when vaccination in the US and UK started [ 34 , 35 ].…”

“…In Japan, although an earlier survey in September 2020 found that approximately 66% of Japanese were willing to vaccinate [ 23 ], public willingness has changed since the receipt of the first vaccine in December 2020 [ 32 , 33 ]. Machida et al [ 33 ], who conducted a survey from 14 to 18 January 2021, found that approximately 62% of Japanese are more willing to receive COVID-19 vaccination, as reported vaccine allergy cases started to appear in the Japanese media when vaccination in the US and UK started [ 34 , 35 ]. Since then, more cases continued to emerge after vaccination for Japanese frontline medical staff began in February 2021 [ 36 , 37 , 38 ].…”

“…Thus, this study examines the association between socioeconomic factors and people’s willingness and/or hesitancy to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Although previous studies investigated vaccination willingness [ 23 , 40 ] or the relationships between perspectives of vaccination and socioeconomic factors [ 33 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ], these studies were conducted before clinical trials were completed in November 2020 [ 45 ] or before the initial distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in Japan [ 46 ]. We conducted our survey in February 2021, after the initial distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in several countries, including the US and UK, and during the initial vaccine distribution among essential medical workers in Japan.…”