Comparative evaluation of knowledge, attitudes and hesitancies related to four different types of vaccines: Smallpox, influenza, tetanus versus Covid-19 vaccines

Abstract

Background and Purpose: The Covid-19 pandemic has brought the anti-vaccination problem back to the agenda. In this study, knowledge, attitudes and hesitancies related to four different types of well-publicized vaccines (smallpox, influenza, tetanus vs Covid-19) were comparatively evaluated to provide a unique understanding of vaccine hesitancy in general and distinctively for Covid-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted face-to-face among the university students. A 26-item questionnaire was designed to collect the data. The survey covered demographics and vaccine-related sections for each of four vaccines. Vaccine knowledge, attitudes/perceptions related to vaccine hesitancy were questioned in 4 sub-sections to receive participants answers for each vaccine. Obtained data were analyzed by biostatistical methods. Results: Covid-19 PCR positivity rate was 38.2% among the participants during study. General knowledge level score mean was 31.63/48 (65.89%) among the participants. General correct attitude score towards all vaccines mean was 70.78/104 (68.06%) among the participants. Participants have responded significantly different answers to Covid-19 vaccines in 14 of 22 questions/statements. New types of vaccines, logistics of these vaccines and severe side effects of vaccines were the parameters perceived significantly different for Covid-19 vaccines among others. Conclusion: Our comparative analyzes have revealed that there are different points particularly for Covid-19 among others in the vaccine opposition seen in the Covid-19 pandemic.