Schelbar N, Ward CN, Phillips E, Herr MJ, Acevedo S, Conner H, Greiner A, Corriveau E. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine perceptions on HPV vaccine hesitancy.
Am J Otolaryngol 2024;
45:104172. [PMID:
38103489 DOI:
10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.104172]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine perceptions on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine hesitancy. Secondary endpoints included comparing COVID-19 and HPV vaccination trends regarding time, community of residence, and unmet social needs.
METHODS
This was a survey-based, cross-sectional study that included 101 participants who were recruited through the Wyandotte County Public Health Department. Participants were eligible for inclusion in this study if they were a parent/guardian of one or more children aged 13 to 17; English- or Spanish-speaking. This study took place in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were utilized.
RESULTS
There was no difference in completion of COVID-19 and HPV vaccines (p = 0.0975). Significantly more individuals started and did not finish the HPV vaccine series compared to the COVID-19 vaccine series (p = 0.0004). Most participants indicated their opinion on the HPV vaccine had not changed due to the pandemic (71.3 %). Participants who felt familiar with HPV had higher rates of HPV vaccine completion. While 77 % of participants felt extremely or moderately familiar with HPV, 61.4 % were unaware of its association with oropharyngeal cancer.
CONCLUSION
There was minimal change in parents' perception of the HPV vaccine due to the COVID-19 pandemic despite decreased rates of vaccination during this time. HPV vaccine series completion was significantly lower than COVID-19 vaccine series completion, highlighting a need to improve HPV vaccine completion counseling. Additionally, patient education should address the knowledge gap discovered regarding the link between HPV infection and oropharyngeal cancer.
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