Vaccine hesitancy and other challenges to sexually transmitted infection vaccine acceptance

Development of vaccines that protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, has progressed greatly over the past decade. However, little research has been conducted to examine STI vaccine acceptance and hesitancy and how these factors may impact future uptake. This review examines literature that could provide additional insights into factors that would impact STI vaccine acceptance and hesitancy.

Vaccine hesitancy remains a threat to the uptake of future STI vaccines despite recent findings that highlight high levels of acceptability. Vaccine characteristics including side effects postvaccination and cost could impact future uptake of these vaccines. Accurate information about the benefits of vaccination and the vaccine development process could help to improve vaccine acceptance.

STI vaccine development is progressing, leading to great promise that a chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis vaccine will one day be available. However, data is limited on factors that could impact vaccine acceptance, hesitancy, and uptake. This research is instrumental in creating policies, programming and vaccination campaigns that could impact acceptance and uptake along with affordability and accessibility. Additional research is needed to better promote STI vaccines.