Correlates of and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine initiation and intention among US college students

Abstract

Objective

To examine correlates of and barriers to COVID-19 vaccine initiation and intention among college students.

Participants

1,171 students attending a public university in the South.

Methods

Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the correlates of vaccine intention and initiation. Reasons for pursuing or foregoing vaccination were analyzed qualitatively using an inductive approach.

Results

Among respondents, 44% had initiated vaccination, 38% intended to be vaccinated, and 18% were unsure about/unwilling to be vaccinated. Vaccine initiation and intention were both associated with 2019-2020 seasonal flu vaccination and political ideology, with conservative-leaning students having lower odds of vaccine initiation and of intention relative to liberal-leaning students. The most common reasons for vaccine initiation/intention and for vaccine hesitancy differed in frequency by political ideology.

Conclusion

The most effective vaccine promotion strategies may be those tailored to different social groups, virus-related beliefs/perceptions, and the specific concerns of vaccine hesitant students.

Keywords:

• College students
• COVID-19 vaccination
• political ideology

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of College of Charleston.