HPV Vaccine: A Case Study of Initial Success and Future Challenges

The recently approved and recommended vaccine to prevent the sexually transmitted disease, human papillomavirus (HPV) has garnered an extraordinary amount of social and political attention as well as anticipation of great impact on HPV and cervical cancer rates. This presentation provides a review of public and political issues thus far surrounding the introduction and implementation of the HPV vaccine in the United States. A conceptual framework for succesful vaccine implementation in general is provided and includes consideration of system-level issues such as federal and professional-organization recommendations, education and communication efforts, and vaccine financing, supply, storage, and cost. The model is framed within the historical perspective of the Hepatitis B vaccination efforts of the 1980s. In terms of the HPV vaccine, specific attention is given to aspects important to date via a case study including review of published and ongoing media studies, in-depth ethnographic interviews with key STD and vaccination experts, and public and provider opinion surveys. Social issues important to explain the initial success and future challenges of HPV vaccine implementation in the U.S. include manufacturer advertising campaigns; acceptability among parents, providers, adolescents, and policy makers; and message framing of media coverage (particularly the debate over school-entry requirements and the possibility of increased adolescent sexual risk). The true success of an HPV vaccine is yet to be measured. Public health experts with the goal of ensuring equitable impact for all populations should consider strategies to reach underserved populations most at risk of both cervical cancer and not receiving vaccination.