TOKYO: About half of parents of children aged below 12 in Japan plan to wait to see if the COVID-19 vaccination becomes available for children, a survey by Nomura Research Institute Ltd. has shown.

The survey found that 53.5 percent of 1,953 parents want their children under 12 to receive vaccine shots after seeing how it goes for a while.

Meanwhile, 12.9 percent said they want their children to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

A total of 33.6 percent said they are somewhat reluctant or do not want to have their children inoculated.

The survey also showed that 24.0 percent of 1,137 parents of children aged 12 or older, who are eligible for vaccination, said their children at elementary, junior high or high schools have received two COVID-19 vaccine doses.

It found that 25.5 percent of the children have received one shot.

Of the respondents who have yet to allow their children to be inoculated against COVID-19, with multiple answers allowed, 60 percent voiced concerns over side reactions or the safety of the vaccines.

Of all respondents, 93.0 percent are worried that their families may be required to self-isolate at home after infection or stay at home due to suspected infection.

Asked about desirable support while being isolated or staying at home, with multiple answers allowed, 60 percent wanted delivery services for food and daily necessities, compensation for income losses or swift home-visit medical treatment.

The online survey covered a total of 3,090 parents living in urban areas central on Tokyo, Nagoya, central Japan, and Osaka, western Japan, on Sept. 28-30.

JIJI Press