Hesitancy towards the Third Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine among the Younger Generation in Japan

Abstract

The younger generation’s hesitancy towards the COVID-19 vaccine in Japan received significant attention during the early stages of vaccination. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive study in Japan that analyzes the apprehension towards the third dose of vaccine, commonly known as the booster dose, and its underlying causes. Using data from an online panel survey conducted by the Hiroshima Institute of Health Economics Research at Hiroshima University, we examined the severity of booster dose aversion among youths of different ages. Our findings indicate that a sizeable proportion of the Japanese population, particularly younger men, are hesitant to receive the booster dose. Furthermore, an inter-age group difference in booster dose aversion exists only among men. According to the probit regression results, subjective health status and future anxiety are associated with the booster vaccine hesitancy of men and women of various age groups. Moreover, few socioeconomic and behavioral factors like marital status, having children, household income and assets, and having a myopic view of the future, are also associated with the booster dose aversion among youths of certain ages. Given the diverse attitude of the younger generation, our findings suggest that public health authorities should develop effective communication strategies to reduce vaccine apprehension in the society.

Why Some People Are Hesitant to Receive COVID-19 Boosters: A Systematic Review

“…Age was a significant predictor of CBVH in 16 studies (38%). Several studies reported that younger people were more likely to be reluctant to accept COVID-19 booster vaccines [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 10 , 12 , 25 , 29 , 32 , 36 , 37 , 45 , 52 ]. On the other hand, older individuals were associated with being less hesitant to get boosters [ 31 ].…”

“…On the contrary, Bendezu-Quispe et al [ 12 ] found that females are associated with lower booster hesitancy. Moreover, two studies found that males are more hesitant [ 36 , 45 ].…”

“…For example, three studies indicated that low income was associated with a higher CBVH rate [ 4 , 11 , 28 ]. Interestingly, in a study by Khan et al [ 36 ], people with high household incomes and assets demonstrated lower CBVH. Moreover, Al-Qerem et al [ 7 ] found that medium income was associated with higher CBVH.…”

“…Compared to married adults, single or never married adults were more likely to be booster hesitant [ 2 , 51 ]. Conversely, married Japanese individuals were less likely to be booster dose hesitant than their unmarried peers [ 36 ].…”

Crowdsourcing interventions to promote uptake of COVID-19 booster vaccines

“… 4 While this discrepancy is in part due to insufficient supply of and access to COVID-19 vaccines, some previously vaccinated people are unwilling or hesitant to get the booster vaccination, even in countries with initially high COVID-19 vaccine uptake. 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 To increase uptake of booster vaccines, most countries inform people about the benefits of boosters, and some countries also employ interventions like sending personal reminders (e.g., Denmark, UK), offering incentives (e.g., Lithuania, many US states), imposing various restrictions on those who have not been boosted (e.g., France, Germany), or even imposing mandates with financial sanctions (e.g., Greece, Malaysia). In addition, non-governmental institutions and companies have adopted similarly heterogenous approaches to increase COVID-19 booster vaccine uptake of their workforce, including financial incentives 9 and mandates.…”