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

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.

Automated summary

The hesitancy of Japanese youth towards the COVID-19 vaccine has been widely discussed, but there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the apprehension towards the booster dose and its causes. A survey conducted by Hiroshima University revealed that a significant proportion of the Japanese population, especially younger men, are hesitant to receive the booster dose. The study found that there is a difference in booster dose aversion between age groups, and subjective health status and future anxiety are associated with vaccine hesitancy among men and women of different ages.