start-ver=1.4
cd-journal=joma
no-vol=31
cd-vols=
no-issue=3
article-no=
start-page=102660
end-page=
dt-received=
dt-revised=
dt-accepted=
dt-pub-year=2025
dt-pub=202503
dt-online=
en-article=
kn-article=
en-subject=
kn-subject=
en-title=
kn-title=Intention and potential determinants of COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers at a single university hospital in Japan, 2024–2025 pre-season
en-subtitle=
kn-subtitle=
en-abstract=
kn-abstract=Background: Financial accessibility has emerged as a significant barrier to vaccine uptake following the cessation of universal public funding for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination programs. This investigation assessed the intention and determinant factors of COVID-19 vaccination among healthcare workers in Japan in the 2024–2025 pre-season.
Methods: A retrospective survey was conducted utilizing data collected from hospital staff at Okayama University Hospital, Japan, to inform the COVID-19 vaccination strategy in October 2024. The analysis evaluated demographic characteristics, vaccine intention, perceived barriers to vaccination, and maximum acceptable out-of-pocket expenditure.
Results: The study population of 3417 respondents comprised 843 medical doctors (24.7 %), 1131 nurses (33.1 %), 320 other medical staff (9.4 %), 286 dental doctors (8.4 %), and 627 administrative officers (18.3 %). At full cost, 2109 (61.7 %) indicated no intention to receive vaccination, while only 4.4 % expressed willingness to be vaccinated and 33.9 % remained undecided. With total self-payment, the vaccination acceptance rates were the highest and lowest among medical doctors (11.4 %) and nurses (1.0 %), respectively. Cost (38.1 %), followed by safety issues (29.5 %) and concerns regarding efficacy or medical necessity (20.3 %), emerged as the primary barrier. The projected vaccination intention increased to 43.9 % and 54.9 % at reduced self-pay costs of 3000 JPY and 5000 JPY, respectively.
Conclusions: Addressing financial constraints through policy interventions could be effective strategies in increasing overall vaccination coverage among healthcare workers. In addition, providing tailored education on vaccine safety, efficacy, and necessity may further facilitate increased vaccine uptake within this critical population.
en-copyright=
kn-copyright=
en-aut-name=HagiyaHideharu
en-aut-sei=Hagiya
en-aut-mei=Hideharu
kn-aut-name=
kn-aut-sei=
kn-aut-mei=
aut-affil-num=1
ORCID=
en-aut-name=FujitaYasushi
en-aut-sei=Fujita
en-aut-mei=Yasushi
kn-aut-name=
kn-aut-sei=
kn-aut-mei=
aut-affil-num=2
ORCID=
en-aut-name=KiguchiTakashi
en-aut-sei=Kiguchi
en-aut-mei=Takashi
kn-aut-name=
kn-aut-sei=
kn-aut-mei=
aut-affil-num=3
ORCID=
en-aut-name=ManabeYohei
en-aut-sei=Manabe
en-aut-mei=Yohei
kn-aut-name=
kn-aut-sei=
kn-aut-mei=
aut-affil-num=4
ORCID=
affil-num=1
en-affil=Department of Infectious Diseases, Okayama University Hospital
kn-affil=
affil-num=2
en-affil=Division of Infection Prevention and Control, Okayama University Hospital
kn-affil=
affil-num=3
en-affil=Division of Infection Prevention and Control, Okayama University Hospital
kn-affil=
affil-num=4
en-affil=Division of Infection Prevention and Control, Okayama University Hospital
kn-affil=
en-keyword=COVID-19
kn-keyword=COVID-19
en-keyword=Immunization
kn-keyword=Immunization
en-keyword=Reimbursement
kn-keyword=Reimbursement
en-keyword=Healthcare workers
kn-keyword=Healthcare workers
en-keyword=Financial support
kn-keyword=Financial support
END