Background: As a part of the COVID-19 preventive strategy, India began its vaccination drive on January 16, 2021, and was expanded in a phased manner. A significant percentage of India’s adult population is yet to receive the third dose. Hence, to know any hesitancy prevailing in undergraduate medical students who are supposed to be role models for the public, this study is undertaken.
Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to estimate the proportion and factors associated with COVID-19 precautionary dose vaccine hesitancy among undergraduate medical students of a Government Medical College in Karnataka.
Materials and Methods: A mixed-method study was conducted among 420 undergraduate medical students at a Government Medical College in Karnataka. Students from all professional years of MBBS were selected for the study based on stratified random sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire and focus group discussions were used to collect data.
Results: Among 420 participants, 19.05% exhibited vaccine hesitancy, primarily driven by concerns about efficacy, safety, and the non-mandatory nature of precautionary doses. In contrast, fear of COVID-19 transmission, societal responsibility, and the availability of free vaccines were key motivators for vaccine acceptance among the majority. Using thematic analysis of focus group discussions, four key themes emerged were vaccine-related factors, personal factors, media influence, and external factors.
Conclusion: The results underscore the vital importance of education, communication, and public health initiatives in enhancing vaccine confidence and uptake among medical students, paving the way for more effective interventions in the future.
Key words: COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccination; Medical Students; Vaccine Hesitancy; COVID-19 Precautionary Dose
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