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. 2022 May 11;14(3):287-302.
doi: 10.1007/s41649-022-00207-4. eCollection 2022 Jul.

Public Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccinations before Dawn in Japan: Ethics and Future Perspectives

Haruka Nakada  1 , Kyoko Takashima  2 , Yuichi Maru  3 , Tsunakuni Ikka  1 , Koichiro Yuji  4 , Sachie Yoshida  5 , Kenji Matsui  1
Affiliations

Public Attitudes toward COVID-19 Vaccinations before Dawn in Japan: Ethics and Future Perspectives

Haruka Nakada et al. Asian Bioeth Rev. .

Abstract

Improving public understanding and acceptance are critical for promoting coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination. However, how to promote COVID-19 vaccine programs remains controversial due to various ethical issues. This study, thus, aimed to survey the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines among Japanese citizens and discuss relevant ethical issues. A cross-sectional survey was conducted via an online platform. An anonymous, quantitative, self-administered online questionnaire was sent to 6965 registered Japanese residents (20-79 years of age), which included questions regarding the respondent's general knowledge, experience, and opinions of vaccines, vaccine development, COVID-19, and COVID-19 vaccines. Of the 1569 respondents, 730 (46.5%) and 839 (53.5%) were categorized into the younger and older groups, respectively. Most of the respondents possessed general knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines and their features. Of the respondents, 57.8% definitely agreed (10.5%) or somewhat agreed (47.3%) to receive COVID-19 vaccines. The older group showed significantly greater willingness to receive vaccines and higher literacy regarding vaccines in general. Possible reasons for the older group's greater willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines are a high risk of severe COVID-19 infection and their past accumulated experience of receiving various vaccinations. Although active public intervention could increase vaccination rates, most of the respondents did not agree with mandatory vaccination. Furthermore, a gap between the participants in the COVID-19 vaccine trials and the prioritized population in real-world vaccination should be adjusted in future vaccine development.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41649-022-00207-4.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccine; Vaccine acceptance.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing InterestsHaruka Nakada received a research grant from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. Other authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine if it becomes available today
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
The reasons for willingness/unwillingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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