Table 3.
Categorisation of reasons for vaccine non-acceptance
| Code | Category | Examples of identified reasons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lack of concern | “Influenza is not a serious disease” |
| 2 | Lack of perception of own risk |
“I don’t work with patients”, “don’t feel I need it”, “no history of flu”, “Never had it”, “Not needed if you have a diet that includes enough fruit, water and veg”, “I am young and healthy and don’t fell I need this”, “Fit and Well, never been sick, Not had a cough/cold in 10 years", “don’t need it”, “healthy enough”, “Prefer to use methods to improve immune system naturally”, “I don’t need it” |
| 3 | Doubts about vaccine efficacy | “The vaccine does not work”, “empirical data”, “not convinced by the evidence”, “pointless” |
| 4 | Fear of adverse reactions | “Fear of side effects”, “poorly after the last one”, “I don’t feel there has been enough research into the vaccine”, “heard bad stories”, “very sick previously |
| 5 | Self-perceived contra-indications | “Allergy”, “currently have a cold”, “Dr told never to have it again”, “currently have a chest infection”, “advised not to have it”, “Medical advice”, “strict vegan”, “pregnant”, “On COVID trial” |
| 6 | Dislike of injections | “Needle phobia”, “Too scared”, “phobia”, “it could hurt”, “needle phobic” |
| 7 | Avoidance of medications | “I avoid medications”, “does not believe in it”, “Not in agreement with the immunisation”, “I’m a conspiracy theorist”, “don’t think they are good for you”, “Dislike the use of chemicals”, “against my beliefs”, “Prefer to adopt alternative forms of protection”, “take Vitamin D” |
| 8 | Lack of availability | “Not offered vaccine” |
| 9 | Inconvenient delivery | “Not [at location] when clinic was arranged”, “timing not convenient”, “have with GP” |
| 10 | Other | “No”, sorry none I can think of”, “don’t want it”, “I don’t want it”, “Don’t want it”, “Don't wish to receive it”, “Personal beliefs”, “Personal choice”, “Prefer not to”, “My decision”, “Freedom of choice”, “no”, “no comment”, “unwilling to share a reason”, “no particular reason”, |
| 999 | No response | “No response given”, “unknown”, “none”, *blank space*” |
Responses were categorised using categories 1–9, adapted from Hollmeyer et al. [14]. Categories 10 and 999 were added to capture additional reasons given by staff at ABUHB