. 2021 Oct 18;202:1–9. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.10.008

Table 5.

Thematic categorisation of codes generated by content analysis of reasons for likelihood of having, or not having, the COVID-19 vaccination, including a breakdown by likelihood of having the vaccination (likely, uncertain, likely). Themes are presented in descending order of overall frequency.

Theme name	Illustrative code	Number of comments per theme (likely, uncertain, unlikely)
Self-protection (including health reasons)	Perceived high personal risk of disease severity	675 (651, 22, 2)^a
To protect others	Protecting the wider community	667 (609, 54, 4)^a
To end the pandemic and its negative impacts	To end lockdown	345 (331, 14, 0)^a
Confidence in vaccine and authority	The vaccine is effective	317 (276, 39, 2)^a
Safety concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine	Concerns re quick development of the vaccine	226 (28, 110, 88)^b
Concerns re details of vaccine (other than safety)	Concerns re dose time scale	173 (22, 89, 62)^b
Low risk/no personal need for vaccine	Only high-risk groups need the vaccine	144 (25, 75, 44)^b
Concern about health effects of COVID-19	Concerns re long term side effects of virus	77 (71, 6, 0)^a
Other (miscellaneous)	Currently no access due to visa status	67 (46, 13, 8)^a
Precontemplation/not made decision	Not offered yet	64 (12, 44, 8)^b
Unspecified concerns about COVID-19 vaccine	Anxiety re the vaccine	62 (0, 24, 38)^b
To travel/move around more freely	Wanting to visit family	55 (42, 13, 0)^a
Specific health concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine	Fertility concerns	39 (5, 19, 15)^b
Avoid/delay having the vaccine by waiting	Wanting others to test it first	36 (5, 25, 6)^b
Lack of trust in authority	Lack of trust in media transparency	33 (7, 7, 19)^b
General vaccine concerns	Fear of needles	30 (4, 8, 18)^b

Comments were made more frequently by those who were likely to vaccinate.

Comments were made more frequently by those who were uncertain or unlikely to vaccinate.