Assessing the Favourability of COVID-۱۹ Vaccine and the Influence of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs on Vaccination Readiness Among Medical Students in Tehran

Background: Vaccines are highly effective tools to combat COVID-۱۹. Public vaccination in Iran began in February ۲۰۲۱. Healthcare personnel, constitute a priority for vaccination.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the willingness of medical students to accept the COVID-۱۹ vaccine and explore the impact of attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs on their vaccination readiness.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical sciences students at Tehran Medical Sciences Islamic Azad University, Iran, between October and November ۲۰۲۱. An online anonymous questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes, and beliefs about the COVID-۱۹ vaccine. Participants' self-reportings determined vaccine rejection and acceptance, and data was completed and analyzed using SPSS-۲۵.Results: Most respondents had a strong desire to get the vaccine (۹۶.۴%), while ۶۲.۶% hadn’t received yet. The preferred vaccine was Sputnik-V, followed by Oxford/AstraZeneca, COV-Iran Barekat, and Sinopharm. A ۸۴.۷% of them were asked about the COVID-۱۹ vaccine by the public, but only ۵۴.۴% had received adequate training. Also, ۷۷.۳% believed, vaccination would be the final step in eradicating COVID-۱۹.Conclusion: Collaboration between the government and universities is crucial to educate medical students to have a better public guide and awareness. Also, as vaccine efficacy and safety were mutual concerns, educating the medical students might greatly help.

کلیدواژه ها:

COVID-۱۹ ، Vaccine ، University ، Medical Students ، Knowledge ، Attitude ، Belief ، Iran ، Tehran