The Role of Information Uses and Trust in COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccine Hesitancy Among Undergraduate Students in the United States and Republic of Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This study examines how information source use and trust relate to COVID-19 and influenza vaccine hesitancy and influenza vaccine uptake among undergraduate students aged 18–25 in the United States and the Republic of Korea. Findings indicate that occasional Internet use and lower trust in health care providers and professional organizations are associated with higher COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, while influenza vaccine hesitancy is linked to using family as an information source but lower trust in family. Influenza vaccine uptake was positively associated with frequent use of professional sources and social media, but negatively associated with frequent use of the Internet and friends or co-workers. Cross-national differences showed that Korean students reported higher COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy but greater influenza vaccine uptake compared to US students. These results suggest tailored public health strategies that strengthen professional communication channels, engage family networks, and optimize online platforms to address vaccine hesitancy and promote vaccination among young adults.