Attitudes of university students towards mandatory COVID-19 vaccination: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Background Vaccination is an effective public health measure to control the COVID-19 pandemic. In Italy, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was made compulsory by law for some job categories, such as healthcare and education workers. Although students required a valid COVID-19 certificate to access university, they were never subjected to mandatory vaccination. In this context, we investigated their attitudes towards mandating COVID-19 vaccination to be able to access schools and universities. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey from September 2021 to February 2022. A multivariable logistic regression model was built to identify predictors of positive attitudes towards the outcome. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results We collected 5287 questionnaires, grouped into three periods (September-October 2021, November-December 2021 and January-February 2022). The highest proportion of students supporting COVID-19 mandatory vaccination (62.5%) was found between November and December 2021. Multivariable analysis showed that November-December and January-February participants had higher odds of having a positive attitude towards the vaccine mandate than September-October respondents (aOR=1.26, 95% CI:1.09-1-48; and aOR=1.22, 95% CI:1.01-1.48). Other positive predictors were age (aOR=1.01, 95% CI:1.01-1.03), higher levels of perceived COVID-19 severity (aOR=1.09, 95% CI:1.05-1.14), concern for the emergency (aOR=1.09, 95% CI:1.05-1.14), getting vaccinated for fear of infecting other people or being infected (aOR=1.08, 95% CI:1.04-1.12; and aOR=1.07, 95% CI:1.03-1.10) and believing that vaccines could end the pandemic (aOR=1.49, 95% CI:1.41-1.56). Conclusions Attitudes towards COVID-19 mandatory vaccination changed over time, probably in relation to the pandemic trends. Moreover, feeling involved in the pandemic situation seems to be related with a positive attitude. Key messages • Pandemic trends may affect the attitude towards vaccine mandates. Mandating vaccines to access universities could be taken into account in emergency situations to ensure a safer learning environment. • Involvement in the pandemic situation seems related with a supportive attitude towards vaccine mandates, suggesting that awareness is a key factor to be addressed to implement mandatory vaccination.


Background:
New cases of HIV infection are increasing among adolescents and young adults (AYA) in Kazakhstan, and now account for over 23% of all HIV infections. Testing is key to reducing new infections, yet HIV-related stigma is a major barrier. Crowdsourcing contests could engage AYA in the development of interventions and increase the likelihood that an effective approach will be developed to reduce stigma and increase HIV testing among Kazakhstan AYA.

Objective:
To determine the response to a crowdsourcing approach to collect media content for the development of an intervention focused on HIV testing stigma reduction among AYA in Kazakhstan.

Methods:
To organize the crowdsourcing contest we organized a community steering committee; developed platforms to solicit crowd input; engaged AYA to contribute ideas through social media and in-person events. We present data on social media use and contributions.

Results:
The contest website was visited by 2,893 people, and 76 AYA submitted 91 works for the contest from all over Kazakhstan. Most AYA (60%) visited the website of the contest via social media. Types of submitted content for the contest included video: 31 (34.0%), pictures: 29 (31.8%), text: 24 (26.3%), and other types of content including a chatbot, online game, and website: 7 (7.6%). Fifty (65.7%) participants were between 13-19 years, and 26 (34.2%) were between 20-29 years. Thirteen (17.1%) submissions were in Kazakh, and the rest in Russian 63 (82,9%). A number of submissions required further guidance due to a lack of understanding about stigma, accurate facts, and copyright issues.

Conclusions:
AYA engaged in a crowdsourcing contest and used multiple modalities/types of content, from younger and older AYA, in both Kazakh and Russian, and representation from most regions of the country. Providing clearer guidance about facts and stigma may be helpful prior to submission.

Key messages:
Crowdsourcing approach has a potential to engage adolescent and young adult into development of various types of media content focused on public health issues, such as HIV testing stigma reduction. Adolescents and young adults may need additional information and guidance regarding complex concept of stigma around HIV testing.

Background:
Vaccination is an effective public health measure to control the COVID-19 pandemic. In Italy, vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was made compulsory by law for some job categories, such as healthcare and education workers. Although students required a valid COVID-19 certificate to access university, they were never subjected to mandatory vaccination. In this context, we investigated their attitudes towards mandating COVID-19 vaccination to be able to access schools and universities.

Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional survey from September 2021 to February 2022. A multivariable logistic regression model was built to identify predictors of positive attitudes towards the outcome. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Conclusions:
Attitudes towards COVID-19 mandatory vaccination changed over time, probably in relation to the pandemic trends. Moreover, feeling involved in the pandemic situation seems to be related with a positive attitude.
Key messages: Pandemic trends may affect the attitude towards vaccine mandates. Mandating vaccines to access universities could be taken into account in emergency situations to ensure a safer learning environment. Involvement in the pandemic situation seems related with a supportive attitude towards vaccine mandates, suggesting that awareness is a key factor to be addressed to implement mandatory vaccination.
iii550 European Journal of Public Health, Volume 32 Supplement 3, 2022