JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Background:

Engaging future healthcare providers (HCPs) in vaccine trials is critical for pandemic preparedness, yet willingness among European health-professional students is under-characterized.

Objective:

Objective:

To assess willingness to participate in vaccine trials and associated motivations/deterrents among medical and allied-health students in Europe.

Methods:

Methods:

Cross-sectional online survey (VACCELERATE), distributed via national coordinators in 11 European countries (June–November 2023). A standardized questionnaire captured demographics, information sources, vaccine attitudes, and willingness to participate in future vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine, and non-vaccine trials. Descriptive statistics were computed; item-level denominators varied by response.

Results:

Results:

Of 1,381 eligible respondents, 1,192 answered the primary willingness question: 32.9% (392/1,192) were willing, 38.8% (463/1,192) unsure, and 28.3% (337/1,192) unwilling. The most common deterrents (multi-select; 769 respondents) were concerns about side effects (74.6%) and not wanting to be a “test subject” (35.9%). Positive attitudes toward vaccination were common overall and higher among medical vs allied-health students.

Conclusions:

Conclusions:

A large “unsure” segment suggests targeted education on risk/benefit, safety oversight, and trial logistics could improve trial willingness among future HCPs. Future work should include adjusted and country-aware analyses.