College Student Perceptions of Vaccine Safety

Author

Jasmine Riley, Illinois State University
Emily Drew, Illinois State University
Delaney Reynolds, Illinois State University

Publication Date

2025

Document Type

Poster

Degree Type

Undergraduate

Department

Health Sciences

Mentor

Dr. Alicia Wodika

Mentor Department

Health Sciences

Co-Mentor

Dr. Jacqueline Lanier

Co-Mentor Department

Health Sciences

Comments

Vaccines are one of the greatest public health achievements yet remain one of the most controversial topics in today’s society. One of the major factors contributing to the controversy is varying perceptions on the safety of vaccines and the different factors that may contribute to one’s perception of safety. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding on how college students perceived the safety of vaccines. The study set out to answer three research questions: “What factors impact the attitude of college students toward the safety of vaccines?,” “How do college students seek information about vaccines?,” and “How do perceptions of vaccine safety among college students differ by vaccine?” After obtaining IRB approval, a Qualtrics survey was developed and sent to all ISU students in fall 2024. The survey contained questions regarding their personal safety perceptions regarding the COVID-19 Vaccine, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine, the Influenza (Flu) Vaccine, the Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine, and the Meningitis Vaccine. From completed surveys (n=433), quantitative data was analyzed using IBM SPSS to explore demographic trends among the safety perceptions. Qualitative data was analyzed using a content analysis and forming of themes. Interviews of self-selected survey participants were also conducted via Zoom, to gain further insight on concerns around vaccines, vaccine safety & trust, and the influence of vaccines on the community. Participants perceived the COVID-19 Vaccine as being the least safe followed by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine then the Influenza (Flu) Virus. Students perceived the Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine and the Meningitis Vaccine as being the safest among the vaccines surveyed. Students also communicated that ‘a doctor or healthcare provider suggesting a vaccine’ and ‘10+ years of research on a vaccine’ were the factors that increased their trust in the safety of a vaccine the most. Students also mentioned that a vaccine is perceived to be most safe when ‘multiple studies have been conducted’ and ‘it has been verified by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’. When surveyed on where they seek information about vaccines, students communicated that they most often receive information via medical offices/ health care facilities and Public Health Campaigns.

Recommended Citation

Riley, Jasmine; Drew, Emily; and Reynolds, Delaney, "College Student Perceptions of Vaccine Safety" (2025). University Research Symposium. 503.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/rsp_urs/503