Barriers to pediatric COVID-19 vaccination in Japan: A parent survey on convenience and access.

BACKGROUND

In Japan's 2024 pediatric COVID-19 vaccination program, only multi-dose vials were supplied for children aged 6 months to 4 years, limiting smaller clinics' willingness to offer vaccination and potentially restricting access. Evidence on logistical barriers faced by parents in such settings is limited.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed children aged 6 months to 11 years who received COVID-19 vaccination at the Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center between December 2024 and June 2025. Demographic data were extracted from electronic records. Parents completed an anonymous online questionnaire regarding information sources, appointment-seeking behaviors, perceived difficulties, and future vaccination intentions. Residential distance was compared with that of emergency department patients using the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

Eighty-three doses were administered to 49 children; 37 were aged 6 months-4 years. Vaccine recipients lived significantly farther from the center than emergency patients (median 17.0 km vs 5.9 km, p < 0.001). The questionnaire response rate was 69% (34/49). Social media was the main information source (65%), whereas only 9% received information from healthcare providers or public health centers. Most parents (88%) were "very troubled" by limited vaccination sites, and 41% contacted 10 or more facilities when seeking an appointment. The median travel time was 60 min.

CONCLUSIONS

Regarding COVID-19 vaccinations, it has been found that access to vaccination facilities and vaccine cost can be barriers, and that information on social media is important for parents. We believe that focusing on measures to address these issues can lead to improved vaccination rates.