Progress and challenges for the Japanese immunization program: Beyond the “vaccine gap”

Saitoh, Akihiko; Okabe, Nobuhiko

doi:10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.01.092

Cited by 30 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Japan periodically faces rubella outbreaks among adult men who did not have the opportunity to be immunized against rubella in childhood [1]. In 2013, a rubella outbreak in Japan resulted in 14,344 reported rubella cases and 45 newborns with congenital rubella syndrome [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with participation in an ongoing national catch-up campaign against rubella: a cross-sectional internet survey among 1680 adult men in Japan

et al. 2021

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Background Since 2019, aiming to eliminate periodic rubella outbreaks, the Japanese government has provided a rubella immunization program targeting men born in fiscal years 1972 to 1978, who lacked the opportunity to be vaccinated against rubella in childhood. This study aimed to explore the factors associated with participation in the rubella vaccination program among the first-year target population in 2019. Methods A total of 11,754 adult men in Japan born in fiscal years 1972 to1978 living in seven rubella epidemic areas (Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama, Aichi, Osaka, and Fukuoka) were selected from a list of a survey agency and invited to complete an Internet questionnaire in March 2020. Recruitment ended when the participants reached 1680 individuals. Multivariable log binomial regression analyses were performed to explore the association between awareness of rubella prevention and rubella antibody testing in fiscal year 2019, adjusting for social characteristics. Results Of the 1680 men aged 41–47 years who completed the survey, approximately half (51.3%) said that they had received a voucher for the rubella antibody testing and vaccination program. One-quarter (25.9%) of the respondents had used the voucher for rubella antibody testing in 2019, and 6.0% had used the voucher for rubella vaccination in fiscal year 2019. Respondents who understood the government recommendation for rubella antibody testing and vaccination for men of their generation (odds ratio [OR]: 5.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.01–7.53), those with acquaintances who had undergone rubella testing (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.22–1.59), and those who knew that about their lack of opportunity for rubella vaccination (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.11–1.60) tended to undergo rubella antibody testing. Receiving the most recent seasonal influenza vaccination (OR: 1.26; 95% CI: 1.10–1.43) and being able to confirm a rubella vaccination history (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.13–1.46) were also associated with rubella antibody testing. Conclusions The ongoing Japanese test-and-vaccinate rubella program has yet to achieve its participation rate goal for 2019. Further dissemination of the government recommendation to the population is necessary, along with improvements in the accessibility of the rubella vaccination program.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors associated with participation in an ongoing national catch-up campaign against rubella: a cross-sectional internet survey among 1680 adult men in Japan

et al. 2021

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“…Recently, low immunization coverage among adolescents including human papillomavirus vaccine (HPVV) has been reported in some countries, including Japan [[1], [2], [3], [4]]. Health care system barriers include variable immunization laws and regulations that govern vaccine requirements and exemption policies in Japan [5,6]. Some studies also reported personal or provider related barriers to HPVV in Japan such as lower vaccine acceptance among parents and lack of physician recommendation [7,8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Japanese physicians’ attitudes and intentions regarding human papillomavirus vaccine compared with other adolescent vaccines

Katsuta

Moser

Offit

et al. 2019

Papillomavirus Research

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Introduction Japan has experienced extremely low human papillomavirus vaccine (HPVV) coverage following the suspension of proactive governmental recommendations in 2013. Several studies have reported that recommendations from physicians increase adolescents’ vaccine acceptance. In this survey, we evaluated the attitudes and intentions of Japanese physicians related to adolescent immunizations, particularly HPVV. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using a mailed questionnaire targeting 330 Japanese physicians including 78 pediatricians, 225 internists and 27 obstetricians and gynecologists (OB/GYNs) in Kawasaki City, Japan in 2016. The survey measured physicians’ reported frequency of educating adolescents about vaccines as well as their own perceptions and intentions related to adolescent immunizations. Results Valid responses were obtained from 148 (45%) physicians. Though 53% agreed that the HPVV should be recommended, only 21% reported educating about HPVV. The majority of respondents (90%) agreed that they would restart HPVV for adolescents if the government reinstated its recommendation. Conclusions Although Japanese physicians reported support for adolescent immunizations, they were less likely to recommend or discuss HPVV compared with other adolescent vaccines. Responses indicated this was, at least in part, due to the lack of governmental support for HPVV, indicating that their recommendations would improve with government endorsement of the vaccine.

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“…With the full reporting of measles and rubella cases that began in 2008 ( 9), rubella immunization retargeted male and female infants, focusing on the age group receiving inadequate immunization (8,(10)(11). Further, following the nationwide measles epidemic that began in 2007 mainly among people in their teens and twenties, a second round of vaccination with the MR vaccine was offered to those who were in their first year of junior high school and those equivalent to the age of high school seniors over a 5-year period from 2008 to 2012 to immunize these individuals against rubella, a disease that should be treated together with measles (12). In brief, special measures were taken for a second dose of the MR vaccine for 13 and 18-year-olds from 2008 to 2012 (equivalent to 18 to 28-year-…”

Section: Accepted Manuscriptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Persistence of Anti-Rubella Immunoglobulin G Antibody Titers in Young Adults Involved in a Short-Term Periodic Immunization in Japan

et al. 2021

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Progress and challenges for the Japanese immunization program: Beyond the “vaccine gap”

Cited by 30 publications

References 31 publications

Factors associated with participation in an ongoing national catch-up campaign against rubella: a cross-sectional internet survey among 1680 adult men in Japan

Factors associated with participation in an ongoing national catch-up campaign against rubella: a cross-sectional internet survey among 1680 adult men in Japan

Japanese physicians’ attitudes and intentions regarding human papillomavirus vaccine compared with other adolescent vaccines

Persistence of Anti-Rubella Immunoglobulin G Antibody Titers in Young Adults Involved in a Short-Term Periodic Immunization in Japan

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