Skip to main content

Table 3 Qualitative themes and subthemes for the Unvaccinated Sample (29 total responses; 47 codes applied) and Vaccinated Sample (99 total responses; 162 codes applied)

From: Attitudes and personal beliefs about the COVID-19 vaccine among people with COVID-19: a mixed-methods analysis

  

Vaccinated

Unvaccinated

Theme

Subtheme and Description

n (%)

Examples

n (%)

Examples

Religious/Personal Beliefs

    
 

References Religion: Mentions a specific religion (e.g. Christianity, Judaism), quotes scripture, or mentions religious beliefs generally

25 (15%)

 

9 (19%)

 
 

         I am Lutheran, so there were no prohibitions or encouragements. It is a personal decision

 

         I am christian and it has no effect on my vaccination status

 

Love of Neighbor; Clothe the poor and feed the hungry, support the widow

 

     My body is my temple.

 

References God: References God specifically

7 (4%)

 

2 (4%)

 
 

         I believe God provides scientist with abilities to develop vaccines

 

      mRNA will effect the human genome. I’m created in the image of God.

 

         I was not worried about taking the vaccine. My faith is in God.

  
 

No Impact: References religious beliefs in the context of not impacting the decision to get vaccinated or not get vaccinate.

22 (13%)

 

7 (15%)

 
 

         My religion didn’t have anything to do with me getting the vaccine.

 

         My being a born again Christian has nothing to do with getting vaccinated

 

         My faith is open to all medical procedures and treatments

 

       The decision is not based on religion

 

Not Religious

3 (2%)

 

0 (0%)

 

Community versus Self

    
 

Greater Good: References betterment of a group larger than the self (e.g. family, another person, community)

40 (25%)

 

0 (0%)

 
 

         I wanted it, to protect my family and to show them it is okay yo get vaccinated

  
 

         Christian values call for loving your neighbor as yourself.

  
 

Emphasizes Individual Choice: Emphasizes the importance of individual decision-making

8 (5%)

 

5 (11%)

 
 

         I believe it is a personal decision and it does not go against my religion or beliefs.

 

         It is my choice as what I do with my body

 

         I think get the Covid vaccine is a personal choice you make. You should consult your doctor and decide for yourself. Don’t let the media or government dictate whether you get it or not.

 

         It should be an individual’s decision to get it or not

Medical

    
 

Risk Perception/ Calculation: Decision is based on perceived individual risk to COVID-19 and generally weighing that risk against other factors (e.g. vaccine effectiveness)

25 (15%)

 

8 (17%)

 
 

         I didn’t want to get sick.

 

         Worried because of my underlying health conditions.

 

         COVID-19 is clearly a disease that will be reduced/eradicated only through herd immunity supported by vaccination. While there is a risk in the vaccine, for most people, this is less than the disease itself.

 

         I do not think the vaccine is against my beliefs. I just don’t see that they work when vaccinated people are getting just as sick as unvaccinated people, in my opinion

 

Doctor’s Advice: References decision is impacted by doctor’s (or other healthcare workers) advice

4 (2%)

 

0 (0%)

 
 

      All should take unless advised not to by doctor or the religion

  
 

         I understand science and value using it. I trust our health care professionals. I deeply care about other people.

  
 

Need More Information/ Research: Expresses uncertainty about vaccine due to lack of adequate research or information.

1 (1%)

 

6 (13%)

 
 

         I do not trust it. To much information and nothing is concrete. Only got the vaccine for my job.

 

         I don’t believe that they have tested it long enough to prove it works

     

         Not sure what to believe.

 

References Side Effects: Mentions specific side effects associated with getting the vaccine.

1 (1%)

 

2 (4%)

 
 

         I believe many vaccines work to keep people healthy but I am worried about side effects such as blood clots with the covid vaccine

 

         I once got the flu shot and that year I ended up with the worst pneumonia I’ve ever had in my life right after. So this shot and it’s side effects worried me. I made it nearly the whole pandemic without getting sick so I felt safe

     

         previous blood clotting experience.

Miscellaneous

    
 

Demonstrates Misinformation: Statement includes objectively false information about the vaccine

2 (1%)

 

3 (6%)

 
 

         this really isnt a vaccine, it is a special flu shot. if it wasnan vaccine, like smallpox, i wouldnt have gotten covid after receiving the shots

 

         The so called vaccines are killing people

   

         I believe that Although the vaccination makes changes to our molecules it doesn’t significantly make changes that will harm our reproductive systems. For future generations.

 

         mRNA will effect the human genome. I’m created in the image of God.

 

Belief in Science/ Vaccines: Decision is impacted by a belief or trust in scientific process or belief that vaccines are generally effective technology against disease (e.g. herd immunity)

15 (9%)

 

1 (2%)

 
 

    While I am a Christian, I believe the science and research that has gone into the development and testing of the vaccines. They are safe and effective.

 

         It is my choice as what I do with my body. As with all medications you should only take fully approved medicines.

 

     I firmly believe that vaccines are a solid way to limit and potentially eradicate diseases. Anyone who disagrees is uneducated or misinformed and must be informed.

  
 

References Mandate: References a vaccine mandate or being forced to get the vaccine from a larger system

4 (2%)

 

2 (4%)

 
 

     I do not trust it. To much information and nothing is concrete. Only got the vaccine for my job.

 

         Being forced to take a vaccine is against the constitution.

 

       I think get the Covid vaccine is a personal choice you make. You should consult your doctor and decide for yourself. Don’t let the media or government dictate whether you get it or not

 

         Our worldwide church has urged all members to get the vaccine and to wear mask. I do not believe it is a right of the church or government to enforce or mandate forms of medical care. It should be a personal choice made between a person and God.

 

Uncoded: Did not receive a code due to ambiguity or lack of content.

5 (3%)

 

2 (4%)

 
 

         I think people are gonna do what they wanna do.

 

         im not taking

 

         I am vaccinated

 

         None

  1. Note. Percentage is the calculated by dividing the count of that subtheme by the total number of codes (n = 47 unvaccinated; 162 vaccinated) since some responses (n = 14 unvaccinated; 53 vaccinated) received multiple codes. 29 unvaccinated and 99 vaccinated total responses includes all text responses (e.g. blanks or symbols removed; n = 2 unvaccinated and 2 vaccinated). Additionally, “NA” or “not applicable” responses were also excluded from coding (n = 9 unvaccinated; 10 vaccinated