Factors associated with seasonal influenza vaccine uptake among children in Japan

Abstract

BackgroundSeasonal influenza vaccine was once part of the routine immunization schedule that is routinely offered to all children in Japan, but it is now excluded from the schedule. This study aimed to investigate factors influential to parents’ decision to have their children receive seasonal influenza vaccine, as well as types of seasonal influenza vaccine information that is given to parents.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional online survey of 555 participants who have at least one child younger than 13 years of age. Respondents were asked to categorize the history of influenza vaccination of their youngest child as either ‘annual’ , ‘sometimes’ , or ‘never’. Participants were also asked about potentially influential factors in their decision to have their children receive a seasonal influenza vaccine.ResultsA total of 75% of respondents answered that their youngest child had received a seasonal influenza vaccine, and 57% of respondents answered that their child receives the vaccine every year. The higher income group was more likely than the lowest income group to have a history of influenza vaccine uptake. A recommendation from a pediatrician or school/nursery to have their child vaccinated was also positively associated with a history of influenza vaccine uptake. The most common reason for a pediatrician’s recommendation was ‘it leads to milder symptoms if infected’.ConclusionsThe main finding of the study is a significant association between household income and influenza vaccination of the youngest child in the household. We also found that cost could be a barrier to vaccinating children in low income households and that information from pediatricians and schools/nurseries could motivate parents to have their children vaccinated.

Individual background factors associated with vaccination for seasonal influenza in Japanese schoolchildren

“…A web-based survey in Japan reported that habitual vaccination is strongly predictive of individual vaccinations [10,11]. Our community-based observational study also showed a similar tendency, that yearly vaccination for influenza was associated with vaccination during the 2014/2015 influenza season.…”

“…The survey revealed the proportion of children vaccinated was low at below 50%. This low proportion might be associated with household economic factors [11]. To explore associations between vaccine uptake and background factors at an individual level, a further study was planned.…”

“…An individual vaccination in Japan costs around ¥ 3000 ($ 27) [18], increasing the costs for households with many children. Higher income level has been associated with higher vaccination rates [10,11], suggesting that the cost of vaccination is associated with the rate of vaccination. Because our survey did not include questions about household income level, the author could not determine the relationship between vaccination rate and household income.…”

“…In contrast to adults, who make their own decisions about vaccination, vaccination of children depends on decisions by their guardians and may be affected by other factors. A web-based survey showed that vaccination in children was associated with household income and recommendations by a nurse [11]; however, these results were limited because of the low sample number, possible selection bias or interpreted in only household unit. Therefore, further research is necessary to determine individual background factors associated with the vaccination of children in large, community-based populations.…”

Barriers of Influenza Vaccination Intention and Behavior – A Systematic Review of Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy, 2005 – 2016

“…9 studies related the experience of sickness to vaccine uptake: individuals who had not suffered from influenza previously were less likely to be vaccinated in upcoming seasons (HCP 4/117 [ 75 , 230 , 273 , 323 ]; Pregnant 1/35 [ 324 ]; Chronic 1/45 [ 325 ]; 1/18 Children [ 119 ]; Public 2/191 [ 326 , 327 ]). In one study, however, HCP who had been infected with H1N1 were less likely to get vaccinated [ 86 ].…”