Sarah Bennett
Claims that Japan stopped vaccinating children under the age of two are false. In 1994, Japan amended its immunization law to change mandatory vaccination to recommended vaccination, but it continues to record high rates of immunization for children each year. According to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, Japan recommends vaccinating infants under two years old.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Vaccination status of children under 2 | Vaccination is recommended for children under 2 years old. |
| Infant mortality rate | Japan has a low infant mortality rate, which has decreased over time. |
| Vaccination schedule | Japan has a recommended vaccination schedule, with incentives for parents to follow it. |
| Vaccination law | In 1994, mandatory vaccination was changed to recommended vaccination. |
| Vaccine types | Vaccines recommended for children under 2 include polio, tuberculosis, measles, and rubella. |
| Immunization rates | Japan has high immunization rates for certain childhood vaccines. |
| SIDS rates | There is no link between Japan's declining SIDS rates and its vaccination policies. |
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What You'll Learn
Japan did not stop vaccinating under-twos in 1994
It is false that Japan stopped vaccinating children under the age of two in 1994. On the contrary, the country has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world for certain childhood vaccines, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
In 1994, Japan amended its immunization law to scrap mandatory vaccinations and make them voluntary. The Japanese Pediatric Society still recommends vaccinations for children under two years old, and the country recorded a 95% immunization rate against measles in 2021.
Japan's infant mortality rate has gradually decreased over time, not dramatically after 1994. The decline is partly due to an ongoing campaign that started in 1996, promoting safe sleeping recommendations for infants. Advances in healthcare and nutrition have also helped lower Japan's infant mortality rate.
The false claim that Japan stopped vaccinating children under two in 1994 appears to stem from a misunderstanding of the country's immunization policy. Social media posts have inaccurately compared infant mortality rates in Japan and the United States, drawing false conclusions about the impact of vaccine policies on infant deaths.
In summary, Japan did not stop vaccinating children under the age of two in 1994. Instead, it made vaccinations voluntary, and the country continues to have high childhood vaccination rates. The decline in infant mortality rates is due to a combination of factors, including public health campaigns and improved access to healthcare and nutrition.
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Vaccinations for under-twos are recommended by the Japanese government
Japan has recorded high rates of immunisation for children each year. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that between 2011 and 2022, 96% to 99% of babies received the three doses of the pneumococcal vaccine, which is recommended to be given between the ages of 2 and 4 months. In 2021, Japan recorded a 95% immunisation rate against measles and a 99% immunisation rate against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
The Japanese government provides incentives for parents to follow the recommended vaccination schedule. If parents follow the schedule, the government covers the cost of vaccines for families. However, if parents choose to vaccinate their children outside the stipulated vaccination period, they become responsible for the full cost of the vaccines.
The history of vaccination policy in Japan has included several turning points. In 1948, the Immunization Act was enacted, making vaccination mandatory for the public. In 1976, Japan established a relief system for health damage after vaccination. In 1994, the Immunization Act was revised to change "mandatory vaccination" to "recommended vaccination", and to recommend "individual vaccination" based on a physician's examination of the patient. In 1995, the National Immunization Program revised its vaccination policy to strongly recommend the rubella vaccine for children aged 12-90 months, after the Japanese government had withdrawn its recommendation for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in 1993 due to reports of serious adverse events.
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Japan has one of the highest childhood vaccination rates
Japan has not stopped vaccinating children under the age of two. In fact, the country has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world for certain childhood vaccines, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
In 2021, Japan recorded a 95% immunization rate against measles and a 99% immunization rate against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that between 2011 and 2022, 96% to 99% of babies received the three doses of the pneumococcal vaccine, recommended between the ages of 2 and 4 months.
While Japan did amend its Immunization Act in 1994 to make vaccinations voluntary rather than mandatory, the country still has a recommended vaccination schedule that is consistent with the recommendations of the Japan Pediatric Society. This schedule suggests certain vaccines as early as birth and others as soon as two months old. To encourage parents to follow the recommended schedule, Japanese localities cover the costs of vaccines for families. If they deviate from the schedule, they become liable for the costs.
The decline in infant mortality rates in Japan is not linked to its vaccination policy for infants. Instead, it is attributable to increased access to immunizations, improvements in neonatal care, investments in medical infrastructure and understanding, and public health campaigns that discourage unsafe sleeping practices and maternal smoking.
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Vaccinations were made voluntary in 1994, not mandatory
There is a common misconception that Japan stopped vaccinating children under the age of two in 1994. This is not true. Instead, Japan made vaccinations voluntary in 1994, changing them from mandatory to recommended.
Japan has not stopped vaccinating children under two years old. In fact, the country has one of the highest vaccination rates in the world for certain childhood vaccines, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). For example, in 2021, Japan recorded a 95% immunisation rate against measles and a 99% immunisation rate against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.
In 1994, Japan amended its immunisation law to prohibit mandatory vaccinations. This change meant that vaccinations were now recommended, and parents were encouraged to follow the official vaccination schedule. This schedule is consistent with the recommendations of Japan's Pediatric Society and closely resembles other vaccination schedules worldwide, including those of the US and European Union countries. The schedule recommends certain vaccines as soon as a child is born and others as soon as they are two months old.
If parents choose to vaccinate their child before or after the stipulated vaccination period or do not follow the vaccination schedule (inoculation intervals and number of doses), the vaccination is deemed "voluntary". In these cases, parents are responsible for the full cost of the vaccines, and they may not be able to receive compensation under the Immunization Act if their child experiences adverse side effects. To encourage parents to follow the recommended schedule, Japanese localities will cover the costs of vaccines for families who adhere to the schedule.
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There is no link between vaccination policy and declining SIDS rates
It is a common misconception that Japan stopped vaccinating children under the age of two. In 1994, Japan amended its immunisation law to make vaccinations voluntary rather than mandatory. However, Japanese authorities have maintained a recommended vaccination schedule, which includes several vaccines for children under two years old, such as polio, tuberculosis, and measles/rubella.
Despite this, false claims on social media have linked Japan's vaccination policy to its declining rates of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the unexplained death of a baby who stops breathing, often during sleep. The cause is typically related to problems affecting automatic brain functions like breathing and waking. While Japan has seen a decline in SIDS rates, this is unconnected to its vaccination policies. Instead, the decline is attributed to public health campaigns that discouraged putting infants to sleep face-down and addressed other known SIDS risks, such as maternal smoking.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) supports this, showing high childhood immunisation rates in Japan. For instance, between 2011 and 2022, 96% to 99% of babies received the recommended three doses of the pneumococcal vaccine between ages 2 and 4 months. Additionally, Japan has achieved high immunisation rates for other childhood vaccines. For example, in 2021, Japan recorded a 95% immunisation rate against measles and a 99% rate against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.
In summary, Japan has not ceased vaccinating children under two years old, and its vaccination policies are separate from the decline in SIDS rates. The decline in SIDS is instead associated with public health campaigns and improved access to healthcare and nutrition. Furthermore, Japan boasts high childhood vaccination rates, with immunisation schedules similar to those in other countries, including the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Japan does recommend vaccinations for children under the age of 2 and has high childhood vaccination rates.
In 1994, Japan amended its immunisation law to prohibit mandatory vaccinations, making them voluntary rather than compulsory.
Data reported by the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that between 2011 and 2022, 96% to 99% of babies received the three doses of the pneumococcal vaccine that are recommended between the ages of 2 and 4 months.
Japan recorded a 95% immunisation rate against measles and a 99% immunisation rate against diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis in 2021.
The change was made due to incidents leading to health damage, such as the diphtheria toxoid immunization incident in 1948 and the occurrence of aseptic meningitis from the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine in 1989.
