In this study, we described rates of COVID vaccination, attitudes towards COVID prevention
behaviours, and perceived risk in relation to different areas of personal well-being and substance
use during the pandemic, in a sample of 16- to 25-year-olds (N = 411). The participants completed
a shortself-report questionnaire, while theywere spending their 2021 summer nightlife in a crowded
city venue. Results showed that 64% of respondents reported being vaccinated. Among the
unvaccinated participants, those who were unwilling to be vaccinated agreed less with prevention
rules and felt more at risk for drug use and for chances of getting or maintaining a job, when
compared to both vaccinated peers and to peers who were unvaccinated but positively intentioned
to vaccinate. Overall, the present findings confirm that youth felt at risk for their well-being during
the pandemic and further reveal that young people who are reluctant to vaccinate deserve more
attention. Vaccination campaigns need to be strengthened in social contexts, where chances of
getting a job or keeping it are lower, while the risk of drug use is higher.
