Vaccination Literacy and Determinants of Vaccine Confidence Among University Students: Analyzing Attitudinal Barriers

Introduction: Vaccination literacy plays a critical role in shaping vaccine attitudes and acceptance, especially among university students who are exposed to diverse sources of information. This study aims to assess the level of vaccination literacy among students in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, and examine its determinants, including gender, academic field, and residence.
Methods: Using the HLS19-VAC questionnaire, we surveyed 1,327 students across different academic fields and analyzed vaccination literacy levels. A chi-square test assessed the association between literacy and demographic variables. Vaccination literacy was categorized as inadequate, problematic, adequate, or excellent.
Results: The majority of students demonstrated “adequate” or “excellent” vaccination literacy, with medical, female, and urban students exhibiting higher literacy levels. However, significant misconceptions regarding vaccine safety and side effects persisted, even among students with higher literacy. A positive association was observed between vaccination literacy and vaccine uptake, reinforcing the influence of informed literacy on health behavior.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the need for targeted educational efforts to address misconceptions and reduce literacy gaps among different demographic groups. Public health campaigns that counter vaccine myths and promote trust are essential for improving vaccine acceptance and supporting health outcomes within the university student population.