• Alexander P Oliver, M Allison Ford, Martha A Bass, and Marie Barnard.
• From the Department of Health Promotion and Education, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Departments of Health, Exercise Science and Recreation Management, and Pharmacy Administration, University of Mississippi, Oxford.
• South. Med. J. 2020 Oct 1; 113 (10): 524-530.

ObjectivesTo observe the state of knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding the effectiveness of the 2017-2018 H3N2 influenza virus vaccine in a representative sample of college students and determine how many students experienced flu-like symptoms, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated.MethodsIn March 2018, a 19-item survey related to the 2017-2018 flu virus vaccine was e-mailed to a random sample of 4961 rural southeastern university undergraduate and graduate students. A total of 634 students participated.ResultsAmong 634 respondents, 37.5% received a flu vaccination. Knowledge about the flu was significantly associated with the decision to be vaccinated (χ2 = 18.68, P < 0.001). Of those who received the vaccine, 25.2% reported that they knew "a lot" about the flu. Approximately 28.8% of respondents believed the vaccine to be "very effective" (n = 145).ConclusionIncreased knowledge about the flu indicates an association with a higher rate of flu vaccinations among college students.

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