Abstract
BACKGROUND: Vaccine hesitancy has been observed not only among the general public but also among healthcare professionals and medical students, where it may negatively influence future decisions regarding immunization. This study aimed to assess vaccine attitudes and identify predictors of vaccine hesitancy among medical students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of 257 medical students from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Belgrade. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire and the Vaccination Attitudes Examination (VAX) scale. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and linear regression analysis was performed to identify potential predictors of vaccine hesitancy. RESULTS: Overall, most medical students demonstrated positive attitudes toward vaccination, although some concerns and skepticism were also present. Multivariate linear regression analysis identified several significant predictors of anti-vaccine attitudes. A stronger role of religion in students' lives (b = 0.404, p = 0.004) and enrollment in English-taught programs (b = 0.618, p < 0.001) were associated with higher VAX scores, indicating greater vaccine hesitancy. In contrast, being in higher years of study (b = -0.467, p = 0.001) and being a voluntary blood donor (b = -0.317, p = 0.017) were associated with lower VAX scores, reflecting more positive attitudes toward vaccination. CONCLUSION: Although medical students generally hold positive attitudes toward vaccination, persistent concerns and misconceptions remain. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational strategies during medical training to strengthen vaccine confidence. Equipping future healthcare professionals with accurate knowledge and communication skills is essential for fostering public trust and supporting informed decision-making in a complex health landscape.