Youth and COVID-19 immunization: navigating the nexus of individualism and mistrust

Abstract

The objective of this study is to comprehensively examine the diverse discourses among unvaccinated young individuals against COVID-19 in the region of Madrid. Our aim is to gain insights into the motivations and underlying rationales they articulate to justify their decision to remain unvaccinated. To achieve this, we employ a methodological triangulation approach, encompassing in-depth interviews, urban space ethnography, and a social network analysis with a specific focus on Telegram groups. The qualitative data collected is subsequently analyzed using a combination of Grounded Theory procedures and critical discourse analysis. Ultimately, our findings reveal three fundamental discursive dimensions. These encompass the assertion of the right to individual autonomy, perceptions of social and political manipulation, and skepticism towards vaccines rooted in scientific skepticism.