Table 3 Participants’ cited reasons for their vaccination status^a

 To protect myself from the flu and its complications

190(95.0)

 To protect those with risk factors around me

122(61.0)

 I consider flu a severe disease

105(52.5)

 I belong to a risk group, I am prone to infections/diseases

69(34.5)

 I had severe influenza previously

31(15.5)

 Death due to influenza complications around me (in my neighbourhood)

7(3.5)

 Because I rarely get infectious diseases (including influenza)

968(67.7)

 Because I do not have a risk factor

700(48.9)

 Because nobody has a risk factor around me

587(41.0)

 Because I prefer alternative therapies (e.g. natural medicine)

511(35.7)

 I consider influenza a minor disease

463(32.4)

 Because I am afraid of the side effects

451(31.5)

 Because of the contradictory opinions on flu vaccine

411(28.7)

 I consider the vaccine ineffective

380(26.6)

 Because I prefer medical therapy

361(25.2)

 Previous bad experience with flu vaccine among family members/acquaintance

341(23.8)

 Because I forgot and missed it

263(18.4)

 Because I am afraid of the needles

172(12.0)

 I received the flu vaccine previously, but it was ineffective because I got the flu

156(10.9)

 Influenza vaccine is contraindicated to me

93(6.5)

 I received the flu vaccine previously, but I experienced major/serious side effects

85(5.9)