Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among undergraduate medical students of a tertiary care teaching hospital, Surat: a source of profound concern

Background: The discussion around COVID-19 vaccines has been in the limelight ever since announcement was made for mass vaccination campaign India. Less is known about undergraduate medical students’ perception and willingness towards getting vaccination. aim of study to assess reasons apprehension if present taking among students spread awareness ongoing issue.Methods: This a prospective, cross sectional, survey-based which conducted at Surat Municipal Institute Medical Education Research (SMIMER), Surat, Gujarat, Questionnaire distributed during lectures exam going were sent Google form link. Data collection done from February March 2021, 550 submitted forms.Results: While 34.9% had taken vaccine voluntarily, category I (acceptance group); 18.2% initially hesitant take vaccine, but later took it, II (hesitant frequency increased 46.9% who are still have not III (refusal group). Top hesitancy were: concern regarding adverse events (69%), safety (60%) lack scientific data (27%) provided vaccines.Conclusions: revealed that there knowledge positive attitude non-vaccinated students. evaluation guided importance need targeted educational program address gap.