Education level and COVID-19 vaccination willingness in adolescents

Vaccination is essential to control the COVID-19 pandemic. High vaccination willingness is a key for successful vaccination programs. This study assessed attitudes toward vaccination in Austrian adolescents and determined whether there are differences in vaccination readiness regarding education status, gender and migration background. Two cross-sectional online surveys were conducted from March to July 2021 in apprentices and high school students. Willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccination was rated on a 5-point scale. In total, n = 2006 (n = 1442 apprentices and n = 564 high school students) completed the survey. Willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccination was higher in students compared to apprentices (p < 0.001). Furthermore, migration background (p = 0.023) and female gender (p = 0.001) were associated with lower vaccination willingness. In conclusion, more efforts are required to improve confidence and willingness to vaccinate adolescents with lower educational levels, those with migrant backgrounds and females.

Automated summary

This study assessed attitudes towards vaccination in Austrian adolescents and found differences in vaccination readiness based on education status, gender, and migration background. The results showed that student had higher willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccination compared to apprentices, while migration background and female gender were associated with lower vaccination willingness. Therefore, efforts should be made to improve confidence and willingness to vaccinate adolescents with lower educational levels, those with migrant backgrounds, and females.