Willingness to Pay for COVID-19 Vaccines in Japan

Takeshi Yoda (), Nagisa Iwasaki and Hironobu Katsuyama
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Takeshi Yoda: Department of Public Health, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki 701-0192, Japan
Nagisa Iwasaki: Department of Public Health, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki 701-0192, Japan
Hironobu Katsuyama: Department of Public Health, Kawasaki Medical School, Kurashiki 701-0192, Japan

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 22, 1-11

Abstract: More than 80% of the Japanese population had received the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination by the end of April 2023; however, this vaccination rate continues to decline along with the need for booster shots. Further, the vaccines may not permanently be available free of charge. This study conducted a survey to determine the public’s willingness to pay for the COVID-19 vaccine in Japan. Using an internet research panel, the questionnaire collected data on various sociodemographic variables and the respondents’ willingness to pay for COVID-19 vaccines. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the respondents’ answers. The results showed that of 1100 respondents, 55.2% would not want to receive the vaccine if it was paid for. A total of 44.8% respondents expressed willingness to pay, with most (170 respondents) willing to pay for 1000–1999 JPY (7.1–14.2 USD). Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, educational status, history of contracting COVID-19, and COVID-19 vaccination frequency were significantly associated with those who were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if it was free ( p < 0.05). These findings provide valuable insights for the Japanese government in determining appropriate pricing strategies to promote COVID-19 vaccination effectively.

Keywords: willingness to pay; COVID-19; vaccine; Japan; free of charge (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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