HPV vaccine and adolescent males

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Adolescent Medicine

Background:

• The quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was approved for males in the United States in 2009.
• Data on HPV vaccine uptake and acceptability among adolescent males were lacking following its approval.
• National recommendations for male HPV vaccination were issued prior to the study period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine HPV vaccine uptake among adolescent males in the U.S.
• To assess the stage of adoption and acceptability of the HPV vaccine among parents and their sons.
• To identify factors influencing parental and adolescent male willingness to adopt the HPV vaccine.

Main Methods:

• A national sample of 547 parents and 421 of their sons (ages 11-17) completed online surveys in August-September 2010.
• Multivariate linear regression analyses were used to examine vaccine uptake and acceptability.
• Surveys assessed awareness, willingness to vaccinate, perceived vaccine effectiveness, and anticipated regret.

Main Results:

• HPV vaccine uptake was minimal (2% of sons received any doses) shortly after national recommendations.
• Most parents and sons were unaware that the HPV vaccine is approved for males.
• Moderate willingness to vaccinate was reported by parents and sons, influenced by perceived effectiveness, anticipated regret, and peer acceptance.

Conclusions:

• HPV vaccine uptake among adolescent males was nearly nonexistent one year post-recommendation.
• Vaccine acceptability was moderate, with key drivers including perceived effectiveness, anticipated regret, and peer acceptance.
• Future interventions to increase HPV vaccination in males should address awareness and leverage peer influence and regret aversion.