COVID-19 Vaccination: The Voice of Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

Introduction: As a non-priority group for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, adolescents and young adults (AYA) also deserve the opportunity to participate in a topic that affects them. Aim: AYAs’ knowledge, advantages, fears and opinions related to vaccination are presented. Method: 558 participants aged 16-24 years (M = 19.34 years, SD = 2.266), mostly girls (72%), of Portuguese nationality (93.2%) and university students (60.8%). Results: They believe that vaccination will take time to have an effect (74.7%) and that the use of masks and detachment will last (72.4%). Confident in the protective role of the vaccine, especially for risk groups (81%) and in avoiding further health complications in the event of infection (50.2), they were afraid of the side effects (37.8%). 55.6% believe that the vaccine should be for everyone. Conclusion: We intend to raise awareness among policy-makers about the need to decontruct this group’s fears of the adverse effects of vaccination, including them in this process.