Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Hesitancy Among Sakarya University Students

Abstract

Introduction: SARS-CoV-2 infection was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019, then it rapidly spread around the world and has become a pandemic. Vaccines play a crucial role in providing protection against COVID-19. However, there is a concerning issue of vaccine hesitancy or refusal among some individuals. This research aims to evaluate the general knowledge, attitude, and hesitancy about COVID-19 vaccines at a state university.Materials and Methods: Our study was designed as an analytical cross-sectional survey-based study. The survey consisted of 23 questions based on sociodemographic features, the status of being infected with COVID-19 and getting vaccinated, knowledge, and attitudes, including hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines. We conducted a study between 20 April 2022 and 20 May 2022 in the Sakarya University campus. The survey was distributed face-to-face on Google Documents with QR code. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Pearson's Chi-Square test was used to compare categorical variables. After descriptive and cross-analysis, Cox regression analysis was used to analyze variables that determine the vaccine discontinuation process.Results: A total of 1292 students participated in this study. 52.2% of the students were women; 36.7% have studied in engineering and related technical departments. 59.3% of the respondents had never been infected with COVID-19. 44.8% followed the news on social media. The majority (63.3%) had two doses of the vaccine. In the study, 65% of the students did not consider getting the next dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The most common reasons for individuals not receiving the next dose of the vaccine were concerns regarding potential long-term side effects on their health (19.1%) and the perceived necessity of continuous booster doses (18.7%). Conclusion: Based on our findings, it can be inferred that the primary barrier to obtaining booster doses is the inadequate level of belief in the efficacy of vaccines. To address this issue, it is crucial to implement media literacy education for all individuals, conduct vaccine awareness campaigns, promote reliable fact-checkers, and enhance public education. These measures are necessary to overcome vaccine booster hesitancy and ensure widespread acceptance and uptake of booster doses.