Behind Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Hesitancy of Filipino Nurses: A Thematic Approach

AIM: The study aimed to explore the reasons for nurses’ coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine hesitancy in the Philippines. METHODS: This study used descriptive, phenomenological qualitative research. The data were collected from 13 Filipino nurses using an unstructured interview questionnaire from June 2021 to October 2021. The six phases method of Braun and Clarke was used to analyze the data. The rigor or trustworthiness of the study was ensured by observing dependability, transferability, credibility, confirmability, and reflexivity. RESULTS: The study shows six significant themes; “being altruistic,” “being circumspect,” “vaccine brand distrust,” “vaccine trauma,” “perceived physical endurance,” and “effects of religious belief and practice.” CONCLUSION: In general, the reasons behind hesitancy on coronavirus disease 2019 vaccine were associated with their previous vaccine experiences, faith, vaccine brand distrust, altruistic behavior toward vaccines, and maintaining physical health among Filipino nurses. These are multifaceted yet exist in close relation. Therefore, these necessitate further understanding of its complexities, as they may contribute to society’s outlook toward coronavirus disease 2019 vaccination.