Parents' views on mumps, mumps vaccine, and the factors associated with vaccination in Japan.

BACKGROUND

The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine was withdrawn from the National Immunization Program in 1993 because aseptic meningitis was reported as a post-vaccination adverse reaction in Japan. This study aimed to measure the uptake of and determinants influencing mumps vaccination, including concerns about adverse reactions.

METHODS

We conducted this cross-sectional survey for all parents whose children underwent 18-month health checkups in Kanazawa City between October 2019 and February 2020. Community nurses interviewed the parents using a unified questionnaire, and 1422 parents responded.

RESULTS

Based on records from maternal and child health handbooks, the mumps vaccination rate was 55.6%. The most common reason for parents not vaccinating their children against mumps was that "it is not a routine vaccine" (35.9%), whereas "concern about adverse reactions" accounted for only 2.2%. In multivariate analysis, the significantly positive factors associated with vaccination against mumps were children whose parents knew that adverse reactions were fever, rash, diarrhea, and vomiting; had received a recommendation for vaccination from their family members; had read the Vaccination Guide issued by the city; vaccinated with other voluntary vaccines or treated for gastroenteritis; and had a deep general understanding of vaccination. Conversely, the significantly negative factor was children whose parents had not received any recommendation for vaccination.

CONCLUSION

The mumps vaccination rate could be improved by adding the mumps vaccine in the routine vaccination program and educating parents by disseminating correct information on mumps and the mumps vaccine, and by primary care physicians routinely recommending vaccination.