An interview study of vaccine hesitancy and vaccine vacillation towards the COVID-19 vaccine among LJMU University students

Abstract

Background: Young adults generally do not consider themselves susceptible to COVID-19 infections and complications due to their age and level of physical health.  However, there have been incidences where young adults with COVID-19 infections have experienced serious complications, disability, and even death.  Young adults who need to be hospitalised due to COVID-19 infections and complications further increase burden on healthcare systems.  Furthermore, young adults who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 could contribute to further risks for vulnerable groups. Research focusing on knowledge, perception and beliefs of university students regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as factors and decision making processes which influence vaccine hesitancy and vaccine vacillation are limited. This study explores vaccine hesitancy and vaccine vacillation towards the COVID-19 vaccine amongst Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) University Students

Methods: Face to face semi-structured interviews were carried out with two participants.  Interviews lasted for 30 minutes, were recorded, stored and then transcribed verbatim.

Results: Thematic analysis was conducted.  Findings from the interviews produced several sub-themes and themes: the knowledge, perception and beliefs of participants regarding the COVID-19 vaccine; perceptions of individual health risk and severity of COVID-19 infections in the society influencing the participants’ factors behind vaccine hesitancy and vaccine vacillation; desire for normality and duty of care influencing the participants’ decision-making processes; the participants’ knowledge, perception and beliefs, and their factors behind vaccine hesitancy and vaccine vacillation influenced their desire and need for the booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Conclusion: Findings from the study showed that the knowledge, perception and beliefs of university students regarding the COVID-19 vaccine could influence vaccine hesitancy and vaccine vacillation.  By understanding the views, perception, and opinions of student, and the factors influencing their decisions, and their decision-making processes, public health education could be adapted to inform better dispersion and communication of information, and could allow for more informed decision-making when considering vaccines.