Influenza vaccination uptake and attitudes among adult cancer patients in Japan: a web-based questionnaire survey before the 2020/2021 season

Influenza vaccination is necessary to reduce severe influenza complications, especially in immunocompromised people such as cancer patients. However, few studies have examined influenza vaccination uptake among adult Japanese patients with cancer; their attitudes toward vaccination, as well as factors related to vaccine hesitancy, are unclear. From September 1 to October 31, 2020, we disseminated a web-based questionnaire to patients with a history of cancer via snowball sampling through e-mails and social media of two Japanese cancer patients associations. A total of 163 surveys were completed. One hundred (61.3%) participants received an influenza vaccination in the 2019/2020 season, and the main reasons for vaccination were as follows: recommendation by medical professionals, positive awareness of vaccination through books or the internet, and provision of vaccination in the workplace. The main reasons for not receiving a vaccination were fear of adverse events, lack of concern about influenza infection, and lack of trust in vaccine effectiveness. In terms of the 2020/2021 season, 120 participants (73.6%) reported their intention to receive an influenza vaccination. Multiple regression analysis showed that significant factors for positive intention were the the treatment without chemotherapy (p = .009), vaccination history in the 2019/2020 season (p < .001), prior experience of influenza infection (p = .043), and the perception that influenza vaccination was more important due to the coronavirus disease pandemic (p = .050). This preliminary survey revealed a relatively modest influenza vaccine coverage among adult Japanese patients with cancer and identified several factors related to positive intention toward vaccination.

Automated summary

This study found that influenza vaccination coverage among adult Japanese cancer patients was relatively low, with factors such as vaccination history and perception of importance due to the COVID-19 pandemic influencing positive intention towards vaccination.