Acceptability of school requirements for human papillomavirus vaccine

Abstract

We characterized parental attitudes regarding school HPV vaccination requirements for adolescent girls. Study participants were 889 parents of 10-18 year-old girls in areas of North Carolina with elevated cervical cancer incidence. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by logistic regression. Approximately half (47%) of parents agreed that laws requiring HPV immunization for school attendance “are a good idea” when opt-out provisions were not mentioned. Far more agreed that “these laws are okay only if parents can opt out if they want to” (84%). Predictors of supporting requirements included believing HPV vaccine is highly effective against cervical cancer (OR=2.5, 95%CI:1.7-5.0) or is more beneficial if provided at an earlier age (OR=16.1, 95%CI:8.4-30.9). Parents were less likely to agree with vaccine requirements being a good idea if they expressed concerns related to HPV vaccine safety (OR=0.3, 95%CI:0.1-0.5), its recent introduction (OR=0.3,95%CI:0.2-0.6), or its potential to increase their daughters’ sexual activity (OR=0.4,95%CI:0.2-0.6). Parental acceptance of school requirements appears to depend on perceived HPV vaccine safety and efficacy, understanding of the optimal age for vaccine administration, and inclusion of opt-out provisions.