COVID-19 Vaccines From the Perspective of Healthcare Professionals and Medical School Students: How did Vaccine-related Concerns Influence Our Decisions?

Authors : Zeynep Biyik, Ahmet Cizmecioglu, Yusuf Gül, Fatma Kamaci, Buğra Çalişkan, Tuğçe Er, Kerem Berke Uçan, Demet Göçmenoğlu, Eren Uzel, Ilayda Arkuntaş, Hacer Buse Yilmaz, Mustafa Uyar, Ali Sina Arslantaş, Yazdan Almohammad

Pages : 1053-1058

View : 103 | Download : 110

Publication Date : 2023-11-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :AIM Vaccination hesitancy poses a solemn resistance to ensuring society\'s immunity. In our study, we aimed to investigate the level of hesitation and rejection of the Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine and define the factors that may affect the vaccine decision-making process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A survey study was conducted with the medical students, assistants and academicians of Selcuk University Faculty of Medicine. A total of 701 individuals agreed to participate in the cross-sectional study. Data were assembled from February to March 2022. RESULTS: 73% of the participants were students, 13.6% were assistants, and 13.4% were academics. The majority of the participants (97.7%) had the COVID-19 vaccine. 2.3% of the participants refused to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and 37.5% of the vaccinated had concerns about the vaccine. Those with hesitant about vaccines had concerns about the side effects and safety. The most significant concern was the possibility of adverse effects other than defined (n = 125). The number of participants who stated there was not enough time to confirm vaccine safety was 104 (14.8%). The number of participants who thought the vaccine was not sufficiently tested enough was 96 (13.7%). The number of participants who doubted the vaccine\'s safety was 91 (13%) due to the vaccine production process being swift. Eighty-five (11.7%) participants thought the vaccine might fail in new viral strains. CONCLUSION: Vaccine acceptance is elevated among the academics, assistants and students of the faculty of medicine. The most crucial reason for vaccine hesitation is safety and efficacy concerns. However, these concerns have not led to robust vaccine rejection.
Keywords : COVID 19, Aşı tereddütü, Sağlık çalışanları, Tıp fakültesi öğrencileri