Acceptance and Hesitancy of COVID-19 Vaccination among College Students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia: A Questionnaire-Based Study

Abstract

Introduction: Additional impact of misinformation can spread through multiple channels and the accelerated pace of vaccine development has further heightened public anxieties and could compromise acceptance. The current study is designed to estimate the level of vaccine acceptance and to determine the key factors that may be associated with vaccine rejection among college students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted through an anonymous online survey at various college campuses of King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah. A standardized questionnaire was circulated through online avenues, and students had to give written consent before attempting to answer it. The questionnaire used in this study was based on previous surveys, including one conducted in Saudi Arabia and evaluated by public health experts. The questionnaire was self-administered and contained two sections: one on demographic and clinical factors of the residents, and the other on vaccine acceptance and preference.
Results: A total of 491 students filled and submitted the questionnaire. The demographic data (table 1) shows the distribution of the participants in important categories. Most of the study participants were male, 303 in number, comprising of 61.7% of all. About intention or acceptance to be vaccinated among the included students, in the present study. A number of 426 (around 87%) of the study participants were ready to receive the vaccines in accordance with the government health policies or had already registered for getting the 1st shot of the vaccine. More than 62% of the students had already received at least one dose of the covid-19 vaccine. About 53 % of the included students had doubts regarding the effectiveness of vaccination and more than 55% were concerned about the overall safety of the vaccines.
Conclusions: The majority were willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine or had already received at least one dose, but some cited a lack of information or a desire to see others get vaccinated first as barriers to getting the vaccine themselves. The most common side effect experienced by participants after receiving the vaccine was fever followed by tiredness, body pain, and headache.