Investigating the Causality and Perceptions of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) and the awareness of the Novel mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Tallinn Upper Secondary Schools

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic launched a multi-billion dollar and highly time-sensitive global search for a vaccine, leading to the world's first mRNA vaccines, which employed a revolutionary method of inoculation. Although mRNA vaccines have proven to be highly effective against COVID-19, their impact on the human body is still being investigated and there have been instances of public distrust of the vaccine, leading to some people refusing to take it. This study investigates three aspects in Tallinn secondary school students: how well they understand the basics of mRNA vaccination technology, why those who refused vaccination did so, and their perception of adverse reactions to the vaccine they received. For the practical part of the research, a questionnaire was used, among students of the 10th and 12th grades of a total of 20 schools. The questionnaire consisted of 13 questions: 10 multiple-choice and three open-ended. Each of the multiple-choice questions also had an "Other" option, which allowed students to input their own answer. The questionnaire was bilingual, including both Estonian and Russian speakers. A total of 168 10th grade students participated in the questionnaire, representing 61.5% of the respondents, and 105 12th grade students, representing 38.5% of the respondents. The results showed that awareness of mRNA vaccines among students in Tallinn was low, and adverse reactions to vaccination consisted mainly of fatigue and muscle pain. Parental refusal was the main reason for not vaccinating, and information was mainly obtained from social media.