Vaccine hesitancy among Croatian biology students with special emphasis on COVID-19 vaccine

Background and purpose: The next challenge after development of COVID-19 vaccines is reaching adequate vaccine coverage, which could be hampered by COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. The aim of this study was to assess general attitude towards vaccination among biology students, as well as prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Since participants of this study could be employed in educational institutions in the future, their knowledge and attitudes towards vaccination could have a role in forming the attitudes of the next generations.Materials and methods: Biology students from two Universities in Croatia were questioned using an anonymous online survey about their attitude towards vaccination in general and COVID-19 vaccination at the moment and from the perspective of a future teacher. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test and binary logistic regression.Results: Mostly positive opinion about vaccination was revealed among Croatian biology students, while 67.3% expressed willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccine compliance was not associated with gender, level of education or University they attended. However, opinion about safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines, perceiving vaccination as important for stopping current pandemic and feeling exposed to COVID-19 infection significantly affected the odds for accepting COVID-19 vaccine. Many students were aware of the opportunity to influence vaccination decisions of the next generations by providing knowledge regarding infectious diseases, immunity and vaccines as future biology teachers.Conclusions: Increasing willingness and competence of biology students and biology teachers to promote vaccine-positive attitudes could be promising long-term strategy for decreasing vaccine hesitancy.