The percentage of young people who have received a COVID-19 booster is expected to remain low in Japan, with the proportion of people in their 20s who have had it likely to hover at around 40% in August — half the rate for the second shot — according to an estimate recently released by Kyoto University researchers.
A team led by Kyoto University professor Hiroshi Nishiura analyzed the government’s vaccination records as of May 22. Based on that, they predicted vaccination rates for Aug. 1, when vaccinations will almost be complete for everyone who wishes to get a booster.
“It could hasten the arrival of the next wave of infections,” Nishiura said, expressing alarm over the low vaccination rate among the young.