Goal 2: Increase Parents’ Acceptance of HPV Vaccination

Parents and legal guardians are the primary decision makers about adolescent vaccination, particularly at the recommended ages for routine vaccination (11 to 12 years old).1 HPV vaccination increasingly is a standard part of care for U.S. adolescents. The majority of parents have their children vaccinated against HPV. In 2017, more than 65 percent of 13- to 17-year-old adolescents had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine.2 Surveys of parents of unvaccinated teens indicate that a growing proportion are accepting of their children receiving the vaccine,3 and many parents who initially decline the vaccine eventually accept it.4

This progress is likely due, in part, to communication campaigns—such as those carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),5 American Cancer Society (ACS)6 (see Sharing Survivors’ Stories), and Merck & Co.7—and promotion of the vaccine by a growing number of healthcare providers. However, more must be done to increase acceptance of the HPV vaccine. A 2015 survey found that about half of parents of unvaccinated teens did not intend to have their children vaccinated against HPV.3 No single reason predominated, but common reasons cited by parents included:3,8

• Vaccination not needed
• Vaccination not recommended by healthcare provider
• Lack of knowledge about the vaccine or diseases caused by HPV
• Concerns about safety and side effects
• Son or daughter not sexually active

The Panel Chair encourages CDC, ACS, and other trusted organizations to continue to develop and deploy evidence-based communication campaigns to increase parents’ acceptance of HPV vaccination. It is important that parents have access to clear, accurate information about HPV vaccination, particularly if they have questions or concerns. Key messages may include:

• The HPV vaccine prevents six cancers and other diseases.
• The HPV vaccine prevents cancers and other diseases in both girls and boys.
• The HPV vaccine is safe.
• The HPV vaccine is most effective when administered to young adolescents, well before they are exposed to HPV.

Campaigns should build on current knowledge and use existing materials whenever possible. Use of multiple tools and modes of communication will reach as many parents as possible. Strategies are needed to directly reach older adolescents and young adults who may make their own decisions about vaccination. Targeted campaigns may be needed in some cases to counteract widely circulated misinformation (see Addressing Misinformation).

While communication campaigns play an important role in multipronged approaches to increase HPV vaccine uptake, evidence suggests that interventions designed to influence parents’ knowledge, thoughts, and feelings are likely to only modestly affect vaccination rates and may be most effective when a vaccine is new.9,10 Ensuring that providers make strong recommendations and address parents’ questions and concerns likely will be the most effective way to increase parents’ acceptance of HPV vaccination and boost vaccine uptake (see Goal 1). Systems- and community-level interventions also may facilitate access to the vaccine so that parents with positive or neutral views of HPV vaccination have their children initiate and complete the series (see Goal 1 and Goal 3).

Back to Top

« Previous Next »

---