PONE-D-21-29953COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Hesitancy, and Associated Factors among Medical Students in SudanPLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Raja,

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Reviewers' comments:

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Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: In this paper entitled “COVID-19 Vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and associated factors among Medical students in Sudan”, the author investigates the hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccine and associated factors among medical students in Sudan. A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed using online questionnaires to assess the association between vaccine acceptance and various factors. Although the sample size is small, the study provides knowledge about factors involved in the approval and hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccine. It would be helpful to develop strategies to remove these hesitancies against the COVID-19 vaccine worldwide.

Minor comments:

1) The statistical technique used in this study is commendable. However, could the authors explain how his results are significant with a small sample size? Also, the study was conducted at faculty that can accommodate more than 1000 medical students. So, what are the reasons primary medical students are not included?

2) The Manuscript concluded that there is a high hesitancy against the COVID-19 vaccine among medical students. However, the medical students are highly educated among whole population. Therefore, could authors explain the reasons behind hesitation among medical students in the discussion, which are different from similar studies mentioned in the manuscript. Also, is this hesitation present in the general population?

4) There are issues in the reference section. Please correct it accordingly.

Reviewer #2: In the current research article entitled " COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance, Hesitancy, and Associated Factors among Medical Students in Sudan", by Raja et al., have studied/surveyed to estimate determine the acceptance and hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccine and associated factors among medical students in Sudan. Authors conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire designed on Google Form and sent to randomly-selected medical students via their Telegram accounts from 30th June to 11th July, 2021. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software. Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression were used to assess the association between vaccine acceptance and demographic as well as non-demographic factors. They found that, a high level of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among medical. This article addresses a research topic of great interest; however, this reviewer has certain suggestions that would help produce a more comprehensive overview of the topic:

Suggestions:

1. What % of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is there in Sudan among whole population?

2. The authors may additionally provide one Figure as summary, challenges, or prospect of the present study.

2. The authors should cross-check all abbreviations in the manuscript. Initially, define in full name followed by abbreviation.

3. The English of manuscript can be polished (minor).

4. Authors should add a paragraph to discuss more about the cause of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among medical students in Sudan.

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COVID-19 vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and associated factors among medical students in Sudan

PONE-D-21-29953R1

Dear Dr. Raja,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Sanjay Kumar Singh Patel, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE