Vaccination Attitudes: A Survey of Youth (Ages 16-18) and Seniors (65+)
Advisor: Ms. Apra
Internship Location: San Mateo Medical Center
Onsite Mentor: Jennifer Obina
This project investigates generational shifts in attitudes toward the cold/flu vaccine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. By examining the perspectives of youth (ages 16–18) and seniors (65+) in the Bay Area, the research explores how trust, perceived safety, and perceived necessity of vaccines have evolved across these demographics. It seeks to uncover the role of factors such as misinformation, public health messaging, and cultural influences in shaping vaccine perceptions. The study will be conducted through a nationwide survey distributed online and in person. Youth responses will be gathered via high schools, social media platforms, and community organizations, while senior participation will be facilitated through senior centers, libraries, and healthcare facilities. Using both quantitative (Likert-scale, multiple-choice) and qualitative (open-ended) questions, the project aims to provide comprehensive insights into generational attitudes. We hypothesize that youth, being more exposed to misinformation through digital platforms, may exhibit higher vaccine hesitancy than seniors, who often rely on traditional media and healthcare professionals. However, seniors may face accessibility barriers, influencing their vaccination decisions. The significance of this project lies in its potential to inform public health strategies and educational campaigns that address generational concerns, combat misinformation, and improve vaccine uptake. By bridging gaps in understanding vaccine hesitancy, this research contributes to broader discussions on health psychology, public health equity, and the societal impact of the pandemic on healthcare decisions. This work represents an effort to analyze and address a critical public health challenge, equipping professionals with actionable insights to design effective, tailored interventions for diverse populations.
Project Blog
Post 1: Dose of Perspective: Investigating Generational Attitudes on Vaccination
Welcome to my research blog! Over the next few months, I’ll be investigating how attitudes toward the cold/flu vaccine have shifted across generations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. My project focuses on two key age groups: youth (16–18) and seniors (65+), exploring how trust, safety, and necessity influence their perceptions of vaccines.
Why study this? The pandemic brought vaccines into the spotlight—not just as a medical solution but as a topic of debate shaped by misinformation, media influence, and cultural factors. For youth, the prevalence of digital misinformation could contribute to greater vaccine hesitancy. Meanwhile, seniors, while potentially more trusting of vaccines, may face accessibility barriers that influence their choices. Understanding these differences is critical for improving vaccine outreach and public health strategies.
This project will gather insights through a nationwide survey distributed both online and in person. Responses from youth will be collected through high schools, social media, and community organizations, while senior participation will be facilitated through senior centers, libraries, and healthcare facilities. The survey combines quantitative questions, like Likert scales and multiple-choice, with open-ended prompts to capture both data trends and personal perspectives.
The goal isn’t just to collect information but to use it to inform targeted public health strategies. By identifying the unique concerns and barriers each group faces, this research aims to bridge generational gaps in vaccine perceptions, ultimately helping to combat misinformation and improve vaccine uptake.
With guidance from Ms. Jennifer Obina, an expert in Infection Control, and Ms. Apra, I’m excited to start this journey. By the end of the school year, I hope to produce findings that contribute to better public health education and more equitable healthcare solutions.
Stay tuned for updates on the progress, challenges, and insights I uncover along the way.
Week 1: Building Foundations
Hi again, everyone!
This week was a fascinating dive into the scientific literature on attitudes towards vaccines. I started out by reading three research papers that opened my eyes to how many different factors contribute to vaccine acceptance.
One study discussed parental and social acceptance of school-based vaccination programs and concluded that public settings can significantly increase vaccine coverage. Though it was written about adolescents, its conclusions regarding convenience and trust are highly relevant. Another study investigated low rates of influenza vaccine use among college students and identified behavioral barriers including complacency and lack of need.
While wrapping up my literature review, I read a study on COVID-19 vaccine uptake among older adults and individuals with chronic diseases in China, which uncovered how trust in healthcare professionals and fear of safety are hindrances to vaccine uptake. All of these studies have provided useful context in which to contrast how youth and older adults view the cold/flu vaccine in a pre- and post-pandemic time.
Beyond past literature review, I continued my preparation for data collection with a video lecture on research ethics and survey design. The lecture included advice on how to formulate concise, unprejudiced questions and shared methods for eliminating sampling and response biases. These are the same tips that I need to ensure that my survey gets authentic responses from seniors as well as youth.
After all of this learning, I spent a decent chunk of time crafting my survey. I employed both Likert scale items and open-ended questions to gauge perceptions of vaccine safety, necessity, and overall trust prior to and post-pandemic. My survey does include demographic questions as well to place the results in context. I even sent the draft out to some prospective participants for early stage feedback on clarity and usability.
I am truly excited about entering pilot testing now, where I will be perfecting the survey based on feedback from friends, family or whoever I can convince to take the initial draft of the survey. Incorporating rigorous literature review, expert views, and real survey design has allowed me to establish strong bases for this project, and I strongly feel that I can go on with the following steps successfully. Thanks for following along on this journey, I look forward to sharing more progress soon!
Sources:
Balog-Way, Dominic H. P., et al. “Pharmaceutical Benefit-Risk Perception and Age Differences in the USA and Germany.” Drug Safety, vol. 43, no. 11, 1 Nov. 2020, pp. 1141–1156, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32705447/#:~:text=Results%3A%20Clear%20age%20differences%20were%20found%20that%20strongly, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-020-00977-6. Accessed 25 Feb. 2025.
Bednarczyk, Robert A., et al. “Low Uptake of Influenza Vaccine among University Students: Evaluating Predictors beyond Cost and Safety Concerns.” Vaccine, vol. 33, no. 14, Mar. 2015, pp. 1659–1663, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.02.033. Accessed 25 Feb. 2025.
Gomez Lorenzo, Margarita M., and Matthew J. Fenton. “Immunobiology of Influenza Vaccines.” Chest, vol. 143, no. 2, Feb. 2013, pp. 502–510, https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.12-1711. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
Marshall, Helen S., et al. “Parental and Societal Support for Adolescent Immunization through School Based Immunization Programs.” Vaccine, vol. 31, no. 30, June 2013, pp. 3059–3064, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.04.064. Accessed 25 Feb. 2025.
SocialNeuro. “Surveys and Research Ethics in Psychology.” YouTube, 23 Feb. 2023, www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eni-cS4Ms6w. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
Wang, Jiahao, et al. “Willingness to Accept COVID-19 Vaccine among the Elderly and the Chronic Disease Population in China.” Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics, vol. 17, no. 12, 2 Dec. 2021, pp. 4873–4888, https://doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2021.2009290. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
Week 2: Pilot Testing Our Flu Vaccine Survey
Hello everyone,
This week began with the pilot test for the first draft of the survey, as I focused on refining the survey instrument. I asked family and friends to test the first draft of the survey. Detailed feedback by eight people helped me identify the areas to be fine-tuned.
Several strong findings were obtained from the answers provided by the participants. Most recommended the use of the specific terms "Before March 2020" and "Currently" because these are more specific than other temporal terms used, thus increasing the level of consistency in interpretation among the responders. It was also realized that the use of the open-ended questions at the end can lead to respondent fatigue. Thus, the formulation was altered to induce brief yet thoughtful answers, with prompts to facilitate understanding—more so for the specific side effects and reliance on other sources of information.
In addition, definitions were established to enable proper distinction to be made among the group's benefits and individual protections so that proper responses by the participants could be facilitated. The question regarding the frequency of prior influenza vaccinations was rephrased to include a wider set of response options. A new open-ended question was added to ask the participants to provide the reasoning for the trust or distrust in specific sources of information. This added level of detail is expected to provide richer information about the group's attitudes towards communications about the flu vaccine.
I reached out to more contacts throughout the week to review the most recent draft. I hope to finalize the survey draft according to the plan so that it addresses the intricacies of the perceptions towards vaccinations among the younger (16-18) and older (65+) age groups.
Conducting pilot tests in the field last week was a necessary activity to test the validity and reliability of the survey instrument. I expect the refinements to make it easier to gather more open and constructive feedback and to gain better understanding about the changes in attitudes towards vaccination that have taken place both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic began.
I truly appreciate the interest expressed throughout this project and look forward to the chance to present further breakthroughs in the future.
Week 3: Kicking off the quest!
Hi everyone!
Week 3 was a key stepping stone in my project. I spent a considerable part of the week setting up the online survey with Google Forms and distributing it to various population groups to begin the process of data collection.
I called up relatives and those living in close proximity to me and utilized my social network to start collecting information. It was thrilling to have those initial surveys returned and to have some preliminary sense of the clarity and efficacy of the survey. I went out of my way to distribute the survey to other students who were not at my current school so that I could have a more general sample of young opinion.
The second significant step was reaching out to nursing homes in Fremont. I was eager to make sure that seniors, a vital target group in my project, were included. Although I have yet to hear back from such centers, this step crucial in making sure that the project is inclusive and diverse.
All work done this week was centered on laying a good groundwork for gathering information. I have been making sure that I incorporate feedback and pretest my questionnaire on real reactions to minimize biases and have reliable information.
So that's Week 3 overall - technical setup and pro-activity engagement - and I'm really looking forward to starting next stage. I look forward to seeing what people have to say and to refining some more detailed settings to the survey based on participant feedback.
Looking forward to sharing my next steps!
Week 4: Overcoming Hurdles
Hey everyone!
Week 4 was an enlightening week for my project. I spent this week attempting to distribute the survey to both the youth and the elderly, and although I had some success with the students, the venture with the nursing homes was not as easy.
I began on Monday by distributing my survey to students between the ages of 16-18, attempting to gather as many youth voices as possible. A few responses began to roll in, though I'm still far from having enough data to begin the analysis step of my study.
I switched gears on Tuesday and called additional nursing homes to determine whether I could obtain permission to send surveys to seniors. I got negative replies, unfortunately, which was a disappointment. But this was worth attempting—it’s taught me some useful things about contacting a more varied base of constituents and will influence how I go about making such contacts in the future.
The rest of the week, Wednesday to Friday, was a test of patience. I continuously collaborated with the student population, tracking survey distribution and gathering as much input as I could. Every passing day brought information that will prove valuable in revising the survey to further serve response in the future.
This week I have laid a strong groundwork for the accumulation of diversified data. While the path with nursing homes wasn't as easy, the steady stream of student feedback has been a reassuring platform to carry on my research.
Looking forward to talking to you soon!
Week 5: Outreach and Bridging Generations
Hello everyone!
This week was another steady progression into my journey of collecting the data for this project. After contacting more old friends from other high schools like Mission San Jose High School, I decided to take a different approach in gathering survey respondents from the senior age group. Instead of simply calling in the nursery homes, I will go in person and introduce myself, my project, which school I’m from, and what type of questions I’ll be asking in the survey. I believe this way I might have a higher chance of getting at least one senior center to make an agreement with.
I also spent considerable time on several complementary tasks to ensure a solid data collection process. On both April 1st and 2nd, I distributed surveys among the youth age group, which was an important step to balance our data with fresh insights from the younger demographic. It was really encouraging to see the initial responses roll in, reinforcing that our approach resonates with high school students.
Realizing the need to extend our outreach further, on April 3rd, I began designing flyers that include a QR code, making it super easy for anyone to access the survey on their mobile devices. This was a creative step to bridge the gap between traditional outreach and digital convenience: something especially critical when targeting both tech-savvy youth and seniors who might prefer a straightforward, accessible interface.
The week wrapped up with a focused effort on field outreach. On April 4th, I placed these flyers around the Fremont area and continued to share them online. My goal was to create multiple touchpoints for potential participants to see the survey invitation, whether they were passing by local centers or scrolling through their social feeds.
Thanks for following along on this journey; I’m excited to see where this next phase takes us, and I look forward to sharing more updates soon!
Week 6: On the Road to Insight
Hello everyone!
This week I pushed forward connecting with high school students at MSJHS, reestablishing contacts and actively spreading our survey to gather fresh insights from the youth demographic. I reached out during a dedicated three-hour window, and then I expanded the outreach to students across different grade levels within the same age group. It was energizing to see our network grow as more young voices stepped up to participate.
Midweek, my focus shifted toward making our survey more engaging. I polished up the flyer to not only catch the eye of people going about their day but also to clearly communicate the survey’s purpose. I wanted to maximize the chances that someone would be intrigued enough to stop and take a closer look.
April 10th was all about fine-tuning our survey. I implemented some valuable feedback from my advisor, ensuring that every question was clear and that the survey was ready for public distribution. This critical step set the stage for a smooth data collection process as we opened our survey to a broader audience.
Wrapping up the week, I hit the roads again. I drove around the Fremont and Alameda County area to hand out flyers. Seeing the tangible impact of these physical touchpoints was incredibly rewarding; it reaffirms that each flyer is a step toward capturing a diverse range of perspectives on vaccination attitudes.
I’m excited about the progress made this week and am optimistic about how these outreach efforts will enrich our study. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more updates soon!
Week 7: How We Reached More Youth
Hello everyone!
This week deepened our survey outreach among the 16–18 age group. I started things off by meeting young adults at City Sports gym and the Alameda County Library, where I shared our survey and sparked some great conversations. It was encouraging to see folks pause, read through the questions, and participate.
As the week unfolded, I tapped into the BASIS junior group to broaden our reach. By leveraging an existing network of enthusiastic students, we managed to bring in a fresh batch of responses, and it was rewarding to watch peers rally around the project so quickly.
I also reconnected with contacts at MSJHS, maintaining relationships and inviting more high school students to take part. That personal touch made a real difference; students were eager to contribute their perspectives on the cold/flu vaccine.
To cap things off, I carried our efforts digitally: posting on Discord servers, Instagram study groups, and other youth‑focused communities. It was exciting to see how rapidly the online platforms drove new participants our way.
I’m thrilled by this week’s momentum and optimistic that these combined in‑person and virtual strategies will enrich our study with diverse insights. Thanks for following along, I can’t wait to share the next update!
Week 8: Teens, Seniors, and the Flu Shot: This Week’s Progress
Hey everyone,
I kicked off the week by asking my high school friends to take part in my survey on cold and flu vaccine attitudes. Hearing from classmates right away helped me see which outreach messages landed and which needed a little tweaking.
Shortly after, I teamed up with a family friend who’s connecting me with our local senior community. Since seniors often prefer different ways of communicating, working together has already made it much easier for them to share their stories.
Midweek, I turned to Instagram to reach more Bay Area teens. That social-media push has brought in a steady stream of responses, and I’m tweaking my prompts so they stay quick to answer but still spark some real insight.
By the end of the week, I dove into drafting my research paper and building my presentation slides. I’m blending hard data with standout quotes to tell a clear story about how flu-vaccine attitudes have shifted pre- and post-pandemic. As I polish the drafts, I’m also thinking about slide design, and making sure each chart, quote, and image supports the narrative.
Next up, I’ll slot those early response trends into my results section and share my drafts for feedback on clarity and flow. I can’t wait to pull together some preliminary stats and highlight emerging themes from both my youth and senior cohorts. Thanks for following along; more updates are on the way!
Post 10: Vaccine Voices: Reaching Milestones!
Hi everyone,
This week, I worked on my research paper and honed my slide deck early: making sure that each part of the outline clearly introduces the shifts in attitudes towards vaccines that I'm chronicling, and that each quote and chart has a purpose in the story.
Then I drew on my network and coordinated a personal connection who's highly plugged into a senior population. Working with him has paved the way for a significantly less complicated process of data gathering among the elderly; his familiarity with the group has already built a comfortable climate and earned their trust. We organized a day near the end of the week when I went with my new senior friend to gather responses in person at one of their regular meetups in a park with beautiful scenery, perfect for taking a break from constantly moving forward within my hectic day-to-day schedule. Hearing seniors report their cold-and-flu vaccine experiences firsthand evoked new topics; some echoed the teens' worries, others voiced unique generational perspectives.
Mid-week, I brought my attention back to my teen sample set, this time with questions sharpened through weeks and a few cycles of survey deployment.
I was able to see quite visibly that the interviewees found it easier to be asked to complete the survey, even finishing off the additional free response questions later on. These intangible, qualitative, and valuable bits of information will contribute significantly to the analysis. I am actually finishing my data collection process this week and initiating the data analysis which shall be part of my research paper!
Looking ahead, I’ll be slotting these early trends into my results section and polishing my figures to highlight emerging themes across both age groups. I’m planning to circulate my draft for feedback on narrative flow and clarity, and then start drafting that discussion section to draw connections between pre- and post-pandemic attitudes. Thanks for following along, more updates are coming soon!
Week 10: One Final Bow
I felt the week’s work click into place with a rush of clarity and purpose. Surveys were cleaned, theories revisited, and every section of the project moved toward its final form.
I turned raw survey responses into a clear results section. I spent hours scripting in R to clean data, check filters, and remove any responses that did not meet quality standards. Those efforts produced neat tables and charts that reveal exactly how youth and seniors view the cold and flu vaccine.
I then refined the discussion and conclusion, tracing each key number back to themes of trust, safety, and perceived need. Reading recent studies helped me ground every point in solid science. I drafted, revised, and smoothenedd transitions until each paragraph flowed naturally into the next.
Now, a research study wouldn’t be complete without sketching a future research proposal in a short paragraph. I outlined how focus groups or a follow-up survey could track attitude changes over time. Writing that section meant balancing ambitious ideas with realistic steps, like sample sizes and timelines.
Finally, I polished the slides for a crisp presentation, then ran timed rehearsals to keep the talk under ten minutes. Testing layouts and practicing out loud made sure the narrative would land smoothly.
Now the paper reads as a single journey from question to conclusion. The slides bring that journey to life in ten minutes of clear storytelling. I’m proud to share this final product and to roll the credits on my senior project.