Who Is Against COVID-19 Vaccination and Why? The Perspective of Opponents of the COVID-19Vaccination in An Iranian Context: A qualitative study

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted in Iran to explore the hesitancy of COVID-19vaccinations from the perspective of opponents of the COVID-19vaccination in Iranian society.

Design: Qualitative design, using the conventional content analysis approach, has been used to collect and analyze data. 29 in-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with those individuals who held a stance against receiving the COVID-19vaccine. Participants were selected using purposive sampling. The data analysis process was based on the Landman and Grenheim method with the aid of MAXQDA (20) software. In addition, Lincoln and Guba's criteria were followed to ensure the trustworthiness of the study findings.

Setting: The study was conducted in Tehran, Iran, from April 2022 to March 2023.

Results: During the data analysis,16 sub-categories were formed from 1273 codes and after merging similar sub-categories in terms of similarities, 7 main categories including (a."Distrust", b."Beliefs", c."Emotions", d."Ambiguity", e."Alternative ways", f."Attention to people's freedom of choice", and g."The impact of politics on health") were extracted. These categories cover and reflect the participants' experiences of the phenomenon of opposition to COVID-19vaccination.

Conclusion: To promote vaccine acceptance, comprehensive and accurate information, trust in healthcare, proper information management, effective vaccine selection methods, and guidance from successful experiences should be implemented.