A Cross Sectional Survey of Student Pharmacists’ Vaccine Hesitancy Perceptions at a United States College of Pharmacy
Author(s)
Aqel O, Alfayoumi I, Axon D
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
Presentation Documents
OBJECTIVES: Vaccine hesitancy is starting to spread rapidly through different populations. As future healthcare professionals, student pharmacists have a role in educating patients about vaccines and helping reduce vaccine hesitancy. However, student pharmacists' perceptions of vaccine hesitancy have not been investigated. This study aimed to assess third- and fourth-year student pharmacists’ perceptions of vaccination hesitancy.
METHODS: An online cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to all third- and fourth-year student pharmacists enrolled at one United States college of pharmacy (N=256) over six weeks in March/April 2022. The questionnaire consisted of 10 Likert-type perception statements (developed from items in the literature) with response options of strongly disagree, disagree, agree, or strongly agree and two descriptive items (academic year, gender). Descriptive analysis using frequency and percentage was conducted.
RESULTS: Fifty-eight students (third-year n=31, fourth-year n=28; female=58%) completed the survey (23% response rate). All respondents agreed/strongly agreed that: the benefits of vaccinations outweigh the risk of vaccinations; and vaccinations are generally safe. Almost all respondents (98%) agreed/strongly agreed that: the information received from vaccine programs is reliable and trustworthy; getting vaccinated is important to protect themselves; and getting vaccinated is important to protect others. Approximately one-third (36%) of respondents agreed that they were concerned about having a serious adverse event from vaccinations, and 17% agreed or strongly agreed that new vaccines carry more risks than older vaccines. Less than 2% of respondents agreed that developing immunity by getting sick is better than getting vaccinated, or that they do not need vaccines for uncommon conditions. All respondents disagreed/strongly disagreed that vaccinations are not beneficial.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study show that third- and fourth-year student pharmacists at one United States college of pharmacy typically had positive perceptions about vaccinations. Further research is required to determine if these findings are replicated among the wider student pharmacist population.
Conference/Value in Health Info
Value in Health, Volume 25, Issue 12S (December 2022)
Code
EPH135
Topic
Epidemiology & Public Health, Study Approaches
Topic Subcategory
Public Health, Surveys & Expert Panels
Disease
STA: Vaccines