Awareness and Attitude of Medical and Paramedical Students Towards Coronavirus Vaccine

Background: Knowledge and a positive attitude towards COVID vaccine are important for breaking the chain of covid infection. Incorrect practises related to the COVID protocol directly increase the risk of infection. Understanding vaccine knowledge, attitudes, and practises (KAPs) and possible risk factors helps to predict the outcomes of planned behaviour. Objective: To assess the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes of medical and paramedical students towards the recently discovered coronavirus vaccine. Material & methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on medical and paramedical students at North DMC Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi. A questionnaire containing demographic information, 14 knowledge items, and 6 attitude questions was completed by 124 participants. Results: Overall, greater than85% of people were aware of the vaccines, route of administration, possible side effects, and doses of vaccine. However, very few of them knew about the in-depth details. The knowledge score revealed that 90% of participants had sufficient knowledge about the coronavirus vaccine. MBBS students had significantly better knowledge in comparison with nursing students. In terms of attitude, greater than 64.2% of students showed a positive attitude. Conclusion: The medical & paramedical students of North DMC Medical College and Hindu Rao Hospital, Delhi showed a satisfactory level of awareness and attitudes towards the COVID vaccine, with an obvious difference in disciplines. Further educational interventions with periodic assessment of such interventions are the need of the hour in the current scenario of this COVID pandemic.