Prevalence and Determinants of Vaccine Hesitancy Among Students at King Faisal University

Vaccination is a cornerstone of public health, providing immunity against various diseases. However, vaccine hesitancy, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), poses a significant challenge to global health efforts. This cross-sectional study explores the prevalence and determinants of vaccine hesitancy among 401 students at King Faisal University. The sample primarily comprises young individuals (97.4% aged 18-24) and predominantly female participants (79%), with 90.5% residing in Al-Ahsaa. Our findings indicate that 75.4% of students adhere to the vaccination schedule, and 55.8% recognize the health benefits of vaccines. Notably, while 1.5% express skepticism, 45.8% strongly agree on the safety of vaccines, and 47.3% acknowledge their effectiveness. Interestingly, only 30.4% feel well-informed about vaccination recommendations, and 47.1% recognize the media's influence on vaccine hesitancy. A significant majority (68.5%) demonstrate high awareness, mainly relying on healthcare professionals (63.4%) for information. Concerns regarding side effects (58.8%) and doubts about vaccine efficacy (21.2%) are prevalent among participants. In conclusion, while the majority of students exhibit high knowledge levels and low hesitancy, concerns about side effects and trust in vaccine efficacy remain critical barriers. Targeted interventions are essential to enhance vaccine uptake and effectively address the factors contributing to vaccine hesitancy.