Evaluation of Vaccination Hesitancy in Medical Faculty Students

Abstract

Aim: This research aims to assess vaccine hesitancy among medical students. Method: This descriptive study was conducted with 615 students in years 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 at a medical faculty in Istanbul. The first nine questions of the online survey developed by the researchers focused on socio-demographic characteristics, while the next 14 questions were prepared to address vaccine hesitancy. A significance level of p < 0.05 was considered in all analyses. Results: The participants in the study were between the ages of 17 and 29; 58% were female. General vaccine hesitancy was observed in 7.6% of the students. The frequency of hesitancy regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine among the participants was 17.4%, and a higher rate of indecision regarding the COVID-19 vaccine was found (18.9%). The frequency of general vaccine hesitancy in preclinical students was higher than in clinical students (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In this study, COVID-19 vaccine acceptance rates were higher compared to the general population, and general vaccine hesitancy was significantly lower in clinical term students compared to preclinical students. Vaccine information and advocacy training starting from the first year of medical education could help future physicians guide society.