Intent To Receive A Covid-19 Vaccination Among College Students: Theory Of Planned Behavior And Sociodemographic Predictors

The COVID-19 pandemic created health and financial consequences across the world and will likely be managed through vaccination. College students have been identified as large spreaders of COVID-19 and adhere less to guidelines provided by professional institutions. A sample of college students was recruited from a public southeastern university prior to widespread dissemination of COVID-19 vaccines and completed an online survey. The survey assessed sociodemographic variables (race, geographical location, religiousness, political leaning) and used Theory of Planned Behavior items (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control) to predict intent to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when available. The constructed model for COVID-19 vaccine intent was significant and explained approximately 74% of the variance observed in vaccine intent. Political leaning, attitudes, and perceived norms towards vaccination emerged as the strongest predictors of intent to vaccinate against COVID-19. Consistent with general population surveys, conservative political leaning related to greater vaccine hesitancy, suggesting the need for tailored vaccine messaging from trusted sources. This study was limited by a cross sectional design, small sample variability and missing data. Future studies should continue to assess college students’ COVID-19 vaccine-related behavior and vaccine messaging as the pandemic continues to evolve.