ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: University students have a unique perspective on vaccination because of their recent or perhaps newly acquired autonomy and ability to make health-related decisions. The development of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2020 and its implementation over the past few years was accompanied by much information and communication about vaccination requirements and safety, which may have affected students' perspectives on vaccination and vaccine requirements more broadly. This analysis describes current vaccine policies at several universities and evaluates student respondents' perceptions of and agreement with university vaccine requirements. METHODS: A 32-question survey was administered to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students attending four Pennsylvania universities in March-May 2023; 2,223 students responded to the survey. The survey included questions about vaccine requirements, agreement with vaccine requirements, and knowledge of selected vaccines. These responses were compared with the actual vaccine requirements and recommendations of the four universities. RESULTS: Most respondents agreed with university vaccine requirements, though knowledge of those requirements varied, with many unaware of which were required. University requirement of the COVID-19 vaccine was not associated with being vaccinated for COVID-19. However, while the requirement itself was not related to vaccine uptake, respondents' perception of a requirement was. Respondents were more likely to report COVID-19 vaccination and influenza vaccination if they believed their university required those vaccines. Respondents were more likely to approve of a vaccine requirement if their perception was that their university required that vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, student respondents were supportive of their institution's vaccine requirements, but many lacked information about those requirements. Clear messaging using multiple modes of communication about vaccines and vaccine requirements may improve students' knowledge of vaccines and result in a corresponding increase in vaccine uptake.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: University students have been uniquely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for the past three years (2020-2023). Understanding their COVID-19 perspectives, beliefs, and vaccine uptake may help to improve future vaccine initiatives and education. METHODS: A cross sectional, confidential, online survey was conducted at four universities in Pennsylvania in spring 2023 to assess undergraduate, graduate, and professional students' perspectives regarding their knowledge of COVID-19 vaccines, importance of COVID-19 vaccines and mandates, number of doses of COVID-19 vaccine received including the recent BA.4/BA.5 bivalent booster, where they were vaccinated, receipt of influenza vaccine, and sources of information used to make decisions about COVID-19 vaccine. RESULTS: Vaccination for COVID-19 was considered important by 75 % of 2223 students surveyed; 68 % agreed with mandating COVID-19 vaccine. Over 89 % were fully COVID-19 vaccinated (≥2 doses), 65 % were up-to-date (≥3 doses), but only 35 % had received the BA.4/BA.5 booster. Students who considered COVID-19 vaccine important were generally older, female, and non-business majors. Higher rates of up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination were found in those who received influenza vaccine in 2022-2023, females, Asians, doctoral or professional students, those attending larger universities, non-US residents, and those interested in learning more about COVID-19 vaccines. Most trusted sources of information on COVID-19 vaccines were the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare providers, and parents; the least trusted sources were social media, television, and the internet. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of university students agreed that COVID-19 vaccination is important and supported COVID-19 mandates. While the rate of fully vaccinated and up-to-date students was similar to the US adult population, the latter rate needs improvement. Receipt of the BA.4/BA.5 booster was particularly low. Further education is needed to improve vaccine knowledge, especially as we move to periodic boosters. Business majors, males, and younger students may benefit from increased on-campus vaccine education initiatives.
