Status and awareness of vaccination among medical students

Objective: Aim of this study was to inform medical students of existing deficits in their vaccination status and to raise their attention to the importance of vaccinations. Methods: The status of vaccination was evaluated systematically in medical students (n = 1100, 686 (62.4%) female). The students were asked to answer questions about their immunization history without consulting their vaccination certificates. Their answers were verified in their vaccination records. Results: 86.2% were in possession of their vaccination certificates. The ignorance about the vaccination status was smallest for mumps (9%) and largest for pertussis (61%). If data were given, these were frequently not confirmed. Immunization rates were 38.7% (measles), 28.9% (mumps), 29.6% (German measles), 84.0% (tetanus), 79.0% (diphtheria) and 98.4% (basic immunization against polio), 33.2% (hepatitis A) and 63,7% (hepatitis B). Conclusions: There is lacking awareness of vaccination in medical students. Memory data were not reliable. A preclinical occupational health medical examination with a strong focus on infectiolous diseases and vaccinations is important. Medical students would thus be able to appreciate the importance of immunizations. An increased awareness of vaccinations can improve the prevention of infectious diseases.