Reasons for Lack of HPV Vaccine Initiation in NIS-Teen Over Time: Shifting the Focus From Gender and Sexuality to Necessity and Safety

Abstract

PurposeTo describe changes in parents’ reasons for lack of HPV vaccine initiation in American male and female adolescents from 2010 to 2016. MethodsLog binomial regression was used to examine prevalence and trends across time in reasons parents do not intend to vaccinate from the National Immunization Survey – Teen (NIS-Teen). ResultsIn females, safety concerns were the most common reasons in 2010 (23%) and 2016 (22%). Lack of necessity (21% vs. 20%), knowledge (14% vs. 13%), and recommendation (9% vs. 10.0%) remained stable, whereas child's lack of sexual activity decreased from 19% to 10% (p<.01). For males, lack of necessity (24% vs. 22%), recommendation (22% vs. 17%), and knowledge (16% vs. 14%), and child's lack of sexual activity (16% vs. 9%) and gender (13% vs. 2%) decreased from 2010 to 2016 (p<.05). Safety concerns increased (5% vs. 14%) (p<.01). ConclusionsVaccine messages should reflect current trends and focus on persistent concerns about knowledge, safety, and necessity, rather than sexuality and gender.