Prevalence of COVID-19 Vaccination Amongst Undergraduates at the College of Medicine, Rivers State University https://doi.org/10.60787/NMJ-64-1-272

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 vaccine is one of the success stories in the control of the disease. COVID-19 was declared by WHO as a global pandemic in March 2020. Though these vaccines do not confer 100% prevention against COVID-19, it has reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with the disease globally. The acceptance or rejection of vaccines cut across all works of life including the undergraduate population. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination among undergraduates at Rivers State University (RSU).

Methodology: This was a two-week cross-sectional study carried out at the College of Medical Sciences (CMS) of RSU with permission from the provost. Informed consent was obtained from the respondents. The information obtained was analysed with SPSS version 25.

Results: The study comprised 311 respondents. The males were 186 (60%) while the females were 125 (40%). The mean age was 24 years of which 303 (97.4%) of the respondents were aware of COVID-19 infection. Eighty-seven (28%) had relatives who had been infected with COVID-19, of which 68 (21.2%) were treated for the disease condition, and 68 (21.2%) died of COVID-19. One hundred and two students (32.8%) had received at least a dose of the vaccines.

Conclusion: This low vaccine uptake among undergraduates is a cause for concern. Increased awareness is required to promote vaccination among the undergraduate population who may be transmitters to more vulnerable relatives at higher risk of death from COVID-19.