Identifying the intersection of parental HPV and COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy to inform health messaging interventions in community-based settings

Vaccine. 2024 Nov 14;42(25):126129. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.07.030. Epub 2024 Jul 12.

Abstract

Purpose: Parental human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine hesitancy contributes to delays or refusals in adolescent uptake. It is unclear if COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy has further impacted the low HPV vaccine uptake trends among underrepresented minorities. This study examines the relationship between COVID-19 vaccine intent and HPV vaccine hesitancy among parents for their adolescents in communities with low vaccine uptake in Los Angeles County.

Methods: Parents from a school-based academic enrichment program serving low-income, first-generation immigrant families completed an online cross-sectional survey to understand parental HPV vaccine hesitancy, adolescent HPV vaccine behavior, and attitudes towards other vaccines, including intent to receive COVID-19 vaccines. In March 2021, parents with children ages 9-17 years completed online surveys. Using multivariate logistic regression models, we examined whether low parent intent to vaccinate their adolescent against COVID-19 was associated with hesitancy to vaccinate against HPV.

Results: A total of 291 surveys were completed. Among parents with high HPV vaccine hesitancy for their adolescent, 33 % did not intend to vaccinate their adolescent against COVID-19 compared to 7 % among parents with low HPV vaccine hesitancy. Low parent intention to vaccinate adolescent against COVID-19 was associated with higher HPV vaccine hesitancy (p < 0.01) after controlling for parent nativity status, medical mistrust, receiving the flu vaccination and negative HPV information.

Discussion: Our findings indicate associations between low parental COVID-19 vaccine intent and higher HPV vaccine hesitancy for their adolescent. Identifying community-relevant health interventions to address parental vaccine hesitancy across multiple child and adolescent vaccines may help to achieve equitable vaccine uptake.

Keywords: COVID-19 vaccine; HPV Vaccine; Health messaging; Implementation Strategies; Racial/ethnic minority and medically underserved adolescents.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • COVID-19 Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • COVID-19* / prevention & control
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Los Angeles
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Papillomavirus Infections* / prevention & control
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines* / administration & dosage
  • Parents* / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / psychology
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vaccination / psychology
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data
  • Vaccination Hesitancy* / psychology
  • Vaccination Hesitancy* / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Papillomavirus Vaccines
  • COVID-19 Vaccines