Aya Saitoh1, Akihiko Saitoh2, Tomohiro Katsuta3, Mahito Mine4, Hajime Kamiya5, Isao Miyairi6, Naruhiko Ishiwada7, Makoto Oshiro8, Ryutaro Kira9, Naoki Shimizu3, Shigeru Suga10, Takeshi Tsugawa11, Masashi Fujioka12, Chiaki Miyazaki13, Ichiro Morioka14, Seigo Korematsu15, Takashi Nakano16, Keiko Tanaka-Taya5, Tetsushi Yoshikawa17, Satoshi Iwata18, Koichi Kusuhara19, Hiroshi Azuma20, Hiroyuki Moriuchi21, Nobuhiko Okabe22, Mitsuaki Hosoya23, Hiroyuki Tsutsumi11, Kenji Okada24. 1. Department of Nursing, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan. Electronic address: ayasaitoh8@clg.niigata-u.ac.jp. 2. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan. 3. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan. 4. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Mine Pediatric Clinic, Saitama, Japan. 5. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Infectious Disease Surveillance Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan. 6. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Division of Infectious Diseases, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan. 7. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan. 8. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Neonatology, Japanese Red Cross Nagoya Daiichi Hospital, Aichi, Japan. 9. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Pediatric Neurology, Fukuoka Children's Hospital, Fukuoka, Japan. 10. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Infectious Disease Center and Department of Clinical Research, National Hospital Organization Mie Hospital, Mie, Japan. 11. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Hokkaido, Japan. 12. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Fujioka Pediatrics, Osaka, Japan. 13. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Fukuoka Welfare Center for the Disabled, Fukuoka, Japan. 14. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. 15. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, University Faculty of Medicine, Oita, Japan. 16. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan. 17. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Aichi, Japan. 18. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Infectious Diseases, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. 19. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Fukuoka, Japan. 20. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Asahikawa Medical University, Hokkaido, Japan. 21. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan. 22. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Kawasaki City Institute for Public Health, Kanagawa, Japan. 23. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan. 24. The Committee on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, Japan Pediatric Society, Japan; Division of Basic Nursing, Fukuoka Nursing College, Fukuoka, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Because of the overabundance of vaccination information on the internet, in the media, and on social media, providing clear and correct information on immunization is critical for parental decision-making. In 2018, the Japan Pediatric Society created and distributed a Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) to provide appropriate immunization information to caregivers. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effect of the VIS on immunization rates, adherence to schedule, and parental understanding of immunization in Japan. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at 18 centers in 2 prefectures in Japan. Caregivers were assigned to an intervention group, which received the VIS and a questionnaire when their child reached the age of 1 month, and a control group, which received only the questionnaire. Using the self-reported questionnaires, we evaluated vaccination rates and schedule adherence at age 2 months, and parental knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding immunization. Three months later, the questionnaires were returned, and the findings were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: We contacted 422 and 428 persons in the intervention and control groups, respectively, and 111/422 (26.3%) and 119/428 (27.8%) returned the surveys. Vaccination rates and adherence rates for the first dose of 4 recommended vaccines did not differ significantly (P > 0.25); however, there were some positive effects on items related to vaccine knowledge (P = 0.03), perceived benefits (P = 0.02), perceived barriers (P < 0.001), and perceived behavioral control (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The VIS improved parent comprehension of infant immunization. Future studies should examine if the effects of such an intervention persist and affect vaccine uptake throughout childhood.
BACKGROUND: Because of the overabundance of vaccination information on the internet, in the media, and on social media, providing clear and correct information on immunization is critical for parental decision-making. In 2018, the Japan Pediatric Society created and distributed a Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) to provide appropriate immunization information to caregivers. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the effect of the VIS on immunization rates, adherence to schedule, and parental understanding of immunization in Japan. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at 18 centers in 2 prefectures in Japan. Caregivers were assigned to an intervention group, which received the VIS and a questionnaire when their child reached the age of 1 month, and a control group, which received only the questionnaire. Using the self-reported questionnaires, we evaluated vaccination rates and schedule adherence at age 2 months, and parental knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding immunization. Three months later, the questionnaires were returned, and the findings were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: We contacted 422 and 428 persons in the intervention and control groups, respectively, and 111/422 (26.3%) and 119/428 (27.8%) returned the surveys. Vaccination rates and adherence rates for the first dose of 4 recommended vaccines did not differ significantly (P > 0.25); however, there were some positive effects on items related to vaccine knowledge (P = 0.03), perceived benefits (P = 0.02), perceived barriers (P < 0.001), and perceived behavioral control (P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The VIS improved parent comprehension of infant immunization. Future studies should examine if the effects of such an intervention persist and affect vaccine uptake throughout childhood.