Background: In September 2008, the United Kingdom introduced a national human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine program to all girls aged 12–13 years, which was later extended to boys, in September 2019. Aim: This study aims to explore and identify opinions and concerns about the HPV vaccine and to generate recommendations to address these for the uptake of the vaccine to remain high. Methodology: Using Mumsnet, a popular online discussion forum, 162 HPV vaccine-related threads were identified between 2005 and 2016. Seven threads, with over 100 posts each, were selected for detailed analysis using a thematic approach (Ritchie and Spencer 1994). Main outcome measures were to identify themes regarding the opinions and concerns about the HPV vaccine, and identify potential barriers to vaccine uptake. Results: Advocates of the vaccine posted factual evidence and personal experiences of HPV-related diseases. Opponents of the vaccine included posts about negative personal experiences of the vaccination process, side effects attributed to the vaccine, as well as quoting media articles. Posts explored concerns surrounding the lack of evidence about the length of protection of the vaccine and the possibility of sexual disinhibition among vaccinated adolescents. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that some parents who decline the vaccination for their children share common concerns and uncertainties regarding the vaccine. Finding ways to address these may be beneficial in alleviating concerns and thus potentially increasing the vaccine uptake.
Klejnotowska et al. (Fri,) studied this question.