Abstract

Vaccine hesitancy is an ongoing public health concern that gained increased attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was especially true among college students, whose dense social networks and communal living environments can facilitate disease spread. This study analyzed determinants of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, including biological knowledge, perceived risk, social influences, and trust in information sources, among students at a small liberal arts college. To this end, an anonymous cross-sectional survey was administered between November and December 2025 to all College of Wooster students aged eighteen or older. Survey items assessed demographic characteristics, vaccine safety perceptions, perceived risk, biological knowledge of vaccines, trust in information sources, and primary vaccination status. Both bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted to examine predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Results indicated that perceptions of vaccine safety and prior COVID-19 infection were the strongest predictors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. While biological knowledge was high overall, it was not a consistent predictor in adjusted models. Furthermore, vaccine hesitancy was higher when measured using booster intention compared with primary vaccination status. Overall, these findings suggest that vaccine attitudes among college students may be shaped more strongly by perceptions of vaccine safety and personal experience with infection than by biological knowledge alone.

Advisor

Lynn, Sharon

Department

Biology

Disciplines

COVID-19 | Medicine and Health Sciences | Public Health

Publication Date

2026

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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Available for download on Thursday, May 15, 2031

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© Copyright 2026 Adeline O. Adjei