ASPO Abstracts
Reasons for not getting the HPV vaccine: evidence for a limited influence of anti-vaccination beliefs among eligible adults
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Purpose: In the US, HPV vaccination is recommended for both adolescents and young adults. Although adults do
not need parental approval to get vaccinated, HPV vaccine uptake in this group is low. The reasons why age-
eligible adults who can make the decision on their own do not get the HPV vaccine, remain unknown.
Methods: Between February and March, 2018, we administered a multistage area probability design-based survey
to a representative sample of Texas residents. Socio-demographic, behavioral and health related information was
collected, including HPV vaccine uptake. Among eligible adults, reasons for not receiving the HPV vaccine were
assessed and described according to the population’s demographics.
Results: Of the 907 eligible adult respondents, 530 (58.5%, 95% CI: 55.1 – 62.0)) reported having never received
HPV vaccine. The most commonly reported reasons for not receiving the vaccine were: did not know about the
vaccine (18.5% (14.9 – 22.1)), provider did not recommend (14.1% (10.9 – 17.4)), vaccine not needed or
necessary (13.8% (10.5 – 17.0)). Among females, the main reason reported was: did not know about the vaccine
(18.6% (14.7 – 22.6)), while among males, it was: not sexually active (20.3% (12.7 – 27.9)). Among NHWs, the
commonest reason was ‘vaccine not needed or necessary’ (19.8% (12.2 – 27.5)), while it was ‘did not know about
the vaccine’ among Hispanics (20.1% (14.7 – 25.4)), and ‘not sexually active’ among NHBs (24.7% (16.8 – 32.6)).
Among women with post-graduate education, the main reason was ‘provider did not recommend’ (18.0% (11.3 –
24.7)); while in women with not greater than high school education, it was ‘did not know about the vaccine’ (21.8%
(15.3 – 28.4)). Overall, the least commonly reported reasons for not getting HPV vaccine were: concerns about
increasing sexual activity if receive the vaccine (0.2% (0.0 – 0.5)); and shot could be painful (0.9% (0.0 – 2.0)).
Conclusions: In a context where recommendations for HPV vaccination are expanding to older age groups,
understanding the drivers of low vaccine uptake among eligible adults is critical. Educational interventions
targeting adults should emphasize more on necessity and awareness of HPV vaccine by enhancing healthcare
provider’s recommendation, and less on safety or sexuality
Keywords: HPV vaccination, reasons, uptake, adult population