Multifactorial model of willingness to get vaccinated in medical students during 3rd wave of COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Vaccination of the population is the most essential and decisive measure in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic that has involved the whole world. The vaccination of healthcare workers and medical students who can spread the infection among patients is crucial.Objective: to study the attitude towards vaccination among medical students.Patients and methods. From 18 to 22 June 2021, an anonymous Internet survey of 364 students of medical and technical universities was conducted. The sample included 135 medical students with no immunity to COVID-19 – who had not been ill or vaccinated. Three variants of behavioral strategies related to vaccination were compared: refusal to vaccinate, observation of the situation, consent to vaccination.Results and discussion. The key factors influencing the choice of a behavioral strategy for avoiding vaccination are the belief that COVID-19 infection is not dangerous for young people and that the vaccine is not studied enough. The willingness to get vaccinated is associated with denial of insufficient knowledge about the vaccine, belief in its safety and effectiveness, fear of infecting loved ones. The observer student group is characterized by an intermediate position on vaccination beliefs.Conclusion. To increase the willingness for vaccination, it is necessary, first of all, to spread the information about the vaccine, its safety (inability to cause severe complications, death) and effectiveness in preventing infection, reducing the level of anxiety concerning vaccination. It is also important to spread awareness about the danger of infecting loved ones and increase personal responsibility for the health of their loved ones.