Cross-sectional study of the knowledge, perception and attitude of first-year university students in Iraq towards SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and COVID-19 vaccines.

Students' reliable knowledge about COVID-19 pandemic including the various strains and approved vaccines should be improved to better manage the pandemic and set foundations for a more appropriate approach when another pandemic occurs. Special workshops should be organised to ensure that students and the public have a more trusted source of information about COVID-19.