"I Don't See No Difference": Parental perception of human papillomavirus vaccine compared to other vaccines for adolescents

Introduction: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is recommended for routine administration at ages 11-12 years. However, compared to other vaccines that are also routinely recommended for adolescents, HPV vaccine uptake is disproportionately low. Understanding parental perceptions of similarities and differences between HPV and other vaccines may help increase uptake.

Methods:  Parents and caregivers (n=45) of adolescents (ages 10-18 years) from a low-income and ethnic minority population participated in a qualitative study. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded for emergent themes. 

Results: A majority of the participants perceived the HPV vaccine to be the same as or better than other routine vaccines. The most common reason given was that the HPV vaccine, like other routine vaccines, prevents disease and “they all help maintain the healthy child”. Several parents also expressed that it is “just another shot”. Some participants perceived the HPV vaccine to be different because it prevents different diseases, and some noted it was better because cancer is a very serious disease and “on a higher level”. A small number of parents acknowledged that HPV vaccine is different because it prevents a sexually transmitted infection.

Conclusion: Overall, most participants viewed the HPV vaccine as similar to or better than other routine vaccines.  Presenting all vaccines that are routinely recommended for adolescents as a ‘bundle’ in a similar manner is likely to be acceptable to parents and may increase uptake.