As the nation¡¯s COVID-19 booster rollout begins to wind down and as the government considers a second booster shot starting as early as May, vaccine hesitancy remains an issue that can impede uptake in the vaccines and hurt the country¡¯s chances of emerging from the pandemic in the near future.
Almost 80% of people in Japan have received at least two COVID-19 doses, but that doesn¡¯t mean all are planning to get additional shots. Decisions on boosters can depend on people¡¯s circumstances and the pandemic situation, warns Takayuki Harada, a psychology professor at the University of Tsukuba. The rollout of third shots began on Dec. 1, but the booster vaccination rate remains a little above 40%.
¡°Vaccinations were progressing smoothly last September, but at that time the delta variant was prevalent and the risk of serious illness was said to be extremely high,¡± he said. ¡°I think it was fortunate that the timing of the vaccine rollout in Japan coincided with the outbreak of delta.¡±
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