A paper by Associate Professor Aya Saitoh and Ms. Mayumi Takaku has been published in the international journal Vaccine.

This study was conducted immediately before the introduction of routine maternal RSV vaccination in Japan. A nationwide web-based paired survey was carried out among 100 pregnant women and their 100 co-residing partners. Using paired data, the study examined awareness of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and maternal RSV vaccination, vaccine acceptance, information needs, and decision-making within households.

The results showed that there was no significant difference in RSV knowledge scores between pregnant women and their partners. However, the proportion of participants who reported detailed awareness of RSV and maternal RSV vaccination was significantly lower among partners than among pregnant women. In addition, partners’ awareness of maternal RSV vaccination and their support for vaccination were associated with pregnant women’s vaccine acceptance.

These findings suggest that, in promoting maternal vaccination, it is important not only to provide information to pregnant women themselves but also to support information sharing and decision-making within households, including partners. The findings are expected to contribute to future strategies in maternal and child health and vaccine communication.

Article information

Aya Saitoh, Mayumi Takaku. Partner awareness and support for maternal RSV vaccination: a paired survey of pregnant women and co-residing partners in Japan. Vaccine. 2026;88:128946.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128946