Parent, Child, and Provider Perspectives on HPV Vaccination in 4-8-Year-Olds: A Mixed Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Infectious Diseases
• Vaccinology
• Public Health

Background:

• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination completion rates in adolescents remain suboptimal in the U.S.
• Initiating HPV vaccination earlier, potentially before age nine, is being explored to improve uptake.
• Understanding perceptions of early childhood HPV vaccination is crucial for successful implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore parental and provider perceptions of HPV vaccination in children aged 4-8 years.
• To assess the feasibility and acceptance of early childhood HPV vaccination.
• To identify factors influencing enrollment in a clinical trial for early HPV vaccination.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews with parents, parent-child dyads, and healthcare providers.
• Cross-sectional survey administered to parents at trial enrollment.
• Analysis of data from 100 parent-child dyads participating in an open-label clinical trial of the 2-dose 9-valent HPV vaccine.

Main Results:

• Parents perceived children as vulnerable to HPV-related cancers and viewed vaccination as beneficial.
• Trust in healthcare providers and positive research staff interactions were key to trial enrollment.
• Parents supported early vaccination for community protection, and providers endorsed bundling it with 4-year-old check-ups.

Conclusions:

• HPV vaccination in children aged 4-8 years was well-accepted by parents, feasible for providers, and manageable for children.
• Building trust and providing education are essential for broader acceptance of early HPV vaccination.
• Strategic integration into routine pediatric care schedules can enhance HPV vaccine uptake and completion rates.