A web questionnaire-based study of institutional support and COVID-19 vaccination uptake in healthcare personnel in Japan.

INTRODUCTION

The Japanese Society for Infection Prevention and Control (JSIPC) Clinical Research Promotion Committee conducted a survey to determine the COVID-19 vaccination rate of healthcare professionals since a charge for COVID-19 vaccination was introduced in October 2024, as well as the factors affecting the vaccination rate and the availability of vaccination subsidies and their effect.

METHODS

All members of the JSIPC (8546 as of March 2025) were asked to complete an anonymous online survey between March 28 and April 25, 2025. Data from 1029 respondents were analyzed.

RESULTS

The COVID-19 vaccination rate (25.7 %) was significantly lower than the influenza vaccination rate (92.2 %). The vaccination rate was 44.6 % for physicians, 7.3 % for laboratory technicians, 22.7 % for nurses, and 16.1 % for pharmacists, showing a significant difference among the occupations. The vaccination rate in the group with a subsidy (59.4 %) was approximately four times higher than the rate in the group with no subsidy (14.5 %). Of those who had not been vaccinated against COVID-19, 69.1 % reported that "Reduced cost of vaccination" would increase their willingness to be vaccinated, and the copayment amount that the greatest proportion of respondents (40.6 %) considered acceptable was ¥1500-¥2999.

CONCLUSIONS

The COVID-19 vaccination rate of healthcare workers was significantly lower than the influenza vaccination rate, with cost being one of the primary factors. To improve the COVID-19 vaccination rate of healthcare workers, vaccination should be promoted through workplace support programs such as vaccination subsidies in the same way as the influenza vaccination.