Vaccination Rates Among the Elderly Are Declining—Is It True That "You Don't Need to Get Vaccinated Anymore"?
Buzzreach analyzes in its latest report: Addressing the "disparities in costs, explanations, and options"
Since the spring of 2025, the new "LP.8.1" variant has been spreading domestically, raising concerns about the risk of severe illness, particularly among the elderly. While the potential for a new outbreak is being pointed out, vaccination rates among the elderly have plateaued. Why is it not reaching those who need it?
Buzzreach has compiled a multi-faceted report based on domestic and international data and feedback from the field. In this article, we will provide an easy-to-understand explanation of the three core challenges and future countermeasures.
✅ Three reasons why vaccination among the elderly is not progressing
1. The barrier of cost burden
Due to the out-of-pocket payment system introduced in 2024, there has been a sharp increase in voices among the elderly saying "the cost is a bottleneck". The availability of subsidy programs varies by municipality, leading to regional disparities. There are also suggestions that the costs associated with vaccine filling and purification are being reflected in the price.
2. Inconsistency in explanations from doctors
There are many reports of people being told, "You don't need to get it this time." Due to differences in doctors' judgments and the responses of individual medical institutions, decisions on vaccination have become subjective. Explanations regarding vaccine components (such as adjuvants and LNPs) are also not standardized.
3. Lack of options and information provision
New technologies other than mRNA vaccines (such as VLP and recombinant proteins) suffer from a lack of both understanding and supply. Interest in new options, such as vaccines using virus-like particle (VLP) technology, is growing. With lingering concerns about side effects and storage conditions, an environment where people can choose is not yet in place.
🦠 The new threat posed by the LP.8.1 variant
LP.8.1, which the WHO and the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo have designated as a "Variant Under Monitoring (VUM)," possesses immune evasion properties and high infectivity. For the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions, continuing booster vaccinations is a life-saving option. The risk of an outbreak caused by this variant further increases the importance of vaccination. Unlike bacterial infections, the importance of vaccination against viruses is being re-recognized.
📊 The "vaccination wall" and life-or-death choices in data
Fatality rate for those in their 70s: approx. 2.6%
80s and older: 5.4%
A fatality rate that is extremely high even compared to influenza
CDC data: The death risk for unvaccinated elderly is 14.1 times higher than for those who are vaccinated
Meanwhile, a KFF survey found that about half of the elderly responded that "vaccine information is insufficient" or "I would consider it if it were not mRNA". A lack of information and options has become a bottleneck. Interest in options other than mRNA vaccines using LNP (lipid nanoparticles) is also rising. These factors may be increasing the risk of a potential outbreak.
📢 Buzzreach's initiatives
At Buzzreach, we are conducting activities based on the following three pillars to bridge the information gap in the medical and pharmaceutical fields:
Dissemination of clinical trial and vaccine information via "Search My Trial"Clinical trial and vaccine information dissemination
Visualization of information for consumers through note series and disease awareness reportsVisualization of information for consumers
Social implementation of "accessible" medical information through partnerships with partner companies
We also provide information on global initiatives such as the COVAX facility.
📄 Download the full report here
The latest report published by Buzzreach
"COVID-19 Treatment Realities and Next-Generation Vaccine Options for the Elderly"
📚 References (partial excerpt)
MHLW "Domestic Trends in COVID-19 Infections"
CDC MMWR (February 2023)
WHO Vaccine Landscape
Buzzreach Official Note Series (Analysis on vaccination rates among the elderly)
KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor
COVAX (COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access) Official Website