Parents’ Preferred Age (9–12) for HPV Vaccination: Decision-Making and Rationale

Background/Objective: The objective of this study was to explore parental preferences for the age of HPV vaccination (9–12) and the rationales for these preferences. Methods: Four online text-based focus groups were conducted with a national sample of 43 parents who have at least one child aged 9–10 years. Participants discussed preferred age for HPV vaccination and how it relates to the routine adolescent vaccine schedule in the United States (US). Content analysis was utilized to identify emergent themes. Results: Three themes surrounding parents’ motivating factors related to HPV-vaccination schedule preferences emerged from the analysis of the focus group discussions: (1) a belief that age 9 is too young versus a belief in early protection, (2) the number of shots administered per visit (a desire to spread shots out or group together), and (3) the parent follows their health care provider’s recommendations. Conclusions: This qualitative study of parental preferences regarding HPV vaccination age and how it relates to the routine adolescent vaccine schedule reveals mixed parental decision-making and rationales for vaccine acceptance and at which age. Given the dynamic vaccine policy landscape in the US, it is essential for providers to understand parental perspectives and motivating factors related to vaccine decision-making and integrate these drivers into clinical practice to best support families and public health at large.