COVID-19 Pandemic
Factors associated with changes in perceived importance of COVID-19 vaccination: Insights from a longitudinal survey in Japan Shuko Takahashi* Shuko Takahashi Satoru Kanda Haruki Shimoda Kozo Tanno Masaru Nohara
Background: There has been no study on the predictors of changes in people’s perceived importance of COVID-19 vaccination. This study aimed to identify factors associated with the changes in vaccination perception during the late phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.
Methods: Serial cross-sectional data were collected via online surveys of residents in Iwate Prefecture in October in 2021 (baseline) and December in 2023 (follow-up survey, n=4,091). Respondents rated the perceived importance of vaccination through self-reported questions, which were categorized into high or low levels in each survey. Based on changes in levels of perception, four trajectories were defined: remaining at a high level, decreasing to a low level, improving to a high level, or persisting at a low level. Logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with these trajectories.
Results: Of those with a high perceived importance of vaccination at baseline, 31.6% shifted to the low-level group at follow-up. In contrast, 85.3% of those in the low-level group at baseline remained in this category. Individuals who contracted COVID-19 after the baseline survey were significantly more likely to show a decreased perception of vaccination importance (OR [CI], 1.40 [1.15–1.71]; P <0.001). Additionally, while individuals with a history of long COVID tended to be persistent low-level group (OR, 0.20 [0.04–1.01]), those currently experiencing long COVID symptoms were strongly associated with persistence in the low-level group (OR, 10.79 [1.21–96.14]).
Conclusion: Policymakers should carefully design vaccination programs, taking into account evolving COVID-19 dynamics and the ongoing impacts of long COVID.