COVID-19-vaccinatiebereidheid bij studenten van de Vrije Universiteit te Amsterdam

The COVID-19-virus can cause mild as well as long-term and severe symptoms. Preventive measures including vaccines were used to prevent (severe) illness and delay/reduce transmission. Despite availability, COVID-19 vaccination coverage was lower in younger age groups. This article describes vaccination willingness, determinants and motives of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam students (n = 372) at the time of the third COVID-19 wave (spring 2019), before the vaccine was available for this group. Data were collected by means of a cross-sectional online questionnaire and analyzed descriptively. A high willingness to vaccinate was found (84%), with motives for accepting the vaccine being predominantly societal in nature and for refusing being (bio)medical. Religion, political affiliation, parents born in the Netherlands and vaccination willingness of loved ones seem to be different between students who are vaccine-ready compared to students who are hesitant/refuse. Themes regarding side effects and long-term vaccine effectiveness also seem to be important in making an informed choice. This information could inform future vaccination campaigns to reduce vaccine hesitation. This could contribute to preparedness for infectious disease outbreaks in the Netherlands.