Introduction: At the end of 2019, humanity faced a new strain of coronavirus, rapidly progressing to a global pandemic—a population threat and a public health challenge. The efforts of world scientists have led to the development of vaccines against COVID-19 in a short period of time.
Aim: Survey of the opinion of students from different medical specialties from the Traкiа University, Stara Zagora and Burgas University "Prof. Asen Zlatarov” focused on COVID-19 vaccination and their willingness to be vaccinated has been conducted.
Materials and Methods: Analysis of data from the online survey conducted in July 2021, on 11 questions aimed at the reasons for vaccination against COVID-19, its refusal, effectiveness of vaccines, possible risks, measures against the spread of the disease and personal contribution to public health has been carried out.
Results: Of the 105 students surveyed, only 27 have been infected with COVID-19; high rates of unvaccinated (83%) and unconvinced (43%) who would not recommend vaccination to relatives and friends (36 %) are reported. The main reason for refusing vaccination is fear of side effects; 53% of respondents are not convinced of the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. The main reason for those vaccinated against COVID-19 (60%) is their own and their relatives' protection against infection; 48% of students support measures for stopping the spread of the disease.Barello S, Nania T, Dellafiore F, Graffigna G, Caruso R. ‘Vaccine hesitancy’ among university students in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eur J Epidemiol, 2020.
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