COVID-19 Vaccination Decision-Making for Residents With Dementia in Japanese Long-Term Care Facilities: A National Cross-Sectional Survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

COVID-19 vaccination is critical for residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs), yet Japan's requirement for individual written consent creates dilemmas for residents with dementia who lack capacity. We examined consent practices and expected ethical support in Japanese LTCFs.

Methods

In August 2021, immediately after the priority vaccination for the elderly ended in July, a questionnaire was mailed to the directors of 4381 LTCFs nationwide.

Results

Valid responses were obtained from 495 facilities, and 24.0% of the respondents reported full vaccination coverage. The leading reason for non-vaccination was lack of family consent (50.9%), which surpassed resident refusal (8.1%). When resident consent could not be confirmed but a reachable family member ex

SUBMITTER: Oki M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12897572 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature