The attitude of medical students to vaccination against COVID-19

Abstract

Aim . To determine the attitude of medical students to the vaccination against COVID-19. Material and Methods . We conducted an anonymous survey of 756 students and residents of Kazan State Medical University from December, 1st to December, 31th, 2021, using a specially designed Google questionnaire. The questionnaire included questions aimed at assessing the level of awareness about the prevention of COVID-19 and attitude to vaccination. Results . The median age of the respondents was 22 (19; 24) years. The vast majority of the respondents (94.0%, 711/756) received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 92.6% (700/756) subjects underwent a full vaccination. Vaccination rates were similar in students and residents. Despite rather high reactogenicity of vaccine preparations, none of the respondents experienced a strong reaction requiring a hospital admission. The asymptomatic course of the post-vaccination period after the frst and the second doses of the vaccine was noted by 4.8% and 14.5% respondents, respectively. The majority of respondents (58.9%, 445/756) believed that vaccination signifcantly reduces the risk of COVID-19 and 70% (529/756) supposed that vaccination protects against severe COVID-19 and death. The majority of respondents (53.7%) considered appropriate to introduce a mandatory vaccination against COVID-19, and 71.6% of respondents disagreed with the physicians opposing the vaccination. Conclusion . The study revealed a high level of adherence to vaccination among the medical students and residents.