Vaccine hesitancy against HPV: adolescents' perspectives

To analyze elements of HPV vaccine hesitancy from the perspective of adolescents.

Qualitative study conducted with 58 middle school students from a public school in São Paulo, developed through focus groups. Deductive content analysis was guided by the 5Cs framework of vaccine hesitancy.

Regarding confidence, many adolescents believed the vaccine was safe; however, boys demonstrated limited knowledge about adverse events. In terms of complacency, there was underestimation of risks and confusion about potential complications. Concerning convenience, barriers to access were highlighted, as well as the tendency to seek healthcare services only in situations of illness. In the domain of communication, participants reported difficulty obtaining reliable information and a lack of dialogue with family members. With respect to the sociodemographic context, there was a perception that the vaccine is primarily intended for girls, in addition to migration-related barriers.

The findings reveal limited knowledge about HPV and the importance of immunization, combined with barriers related to access and communication. Nevertheless, opportunities were identified to expand adolescents' nowledge, particularly through Nursing, which plays a central role in health education processes.