Addressing HPV vaccine myths: practical information for healthcare providers

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake consistently lags behind that of other adolescent vaccines. In 2017, uptake of a single HPV vaccine dose and HPV vaccine series completion was 66% and 49%, respectively, compared to uptake of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine (89%) and qua...

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Main Author: Robert A. Bednarczyk
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2019-08-01
Series:Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2019.1565267
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author Robert A. Bednarczyk
author_facet Robert A. Bednarczyk
author_sort Robert A. Bednarczyk
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description Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake consistently lags behind that of other adolescent vaccines. In 2017, uptake of a single HPV vaccine dose and HPV vaccine series completion was 66% and 49%, respectively, compared to uptake of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine (89%) and quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (85%). Reasons for not vaccinating adolescents again HPV are varied, and in many cases, are rooted in commonly spread myths and misperceptions about the vaccine. In this review, we address five key myths – HPV vaccination is not effective at preventing cancer; Pap smears are sufficient to prevent cervical cancer; HPV vaccination is not safe; HPV vaccination is not needed since most infections are naturally cleared by the immune system; 11–12 years of age is too young to vaccinate. For each myth, we summarize the scientific evidence refuting the myth and provide speaking prompts for healthcare professionals to communicate about HPV vaccination.
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spelling doaj.art-aca68811c14b4c8baa870ab4661776632023-11-08T11:55:19ZengTaylor & Francis GroupHuman Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics2164-55152164-554X2019-08-01157-81628163810.1080/21645515.2019.15652671565267Addressing HPV vaccine myths: practical information for healthcare providersRobert A. Bednarczyk0Rollins School of Public Health, Emory UniversityHuman papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake consistently lags behind that of other adolescent vaccines. In 2017, uptake of a single HPV vaccine dose and HPV vaccine series completion was 66% and 49%, respectively, compared to uptake of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine (89%) and quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (85%). Reasons for not vaccinating adolescents again HPV are varied, and in many cases, are rooted in commonly spread myths and misperceptions about the vaccine. In this review, we address five key myths – HPV vaccination is not effective at preventing cancer; Pap smears are sufficient to prevent cervical cancer; HPV vaccination is not safe; HPV vaccination is not needed since most infections are naturally cleared by the immune system; 11–12 years of age is too young to vaccinate. For each myth, we summarize the scientific evidence refuting the myth and provide speaking prompts for healthcare professionals to communicate about HPV vaccination.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2019.1565267human papillomavirushpvvaccine hesitancevaccine mythsvaccine misperceptions
spellingShingle Robert A. Bednarczyk
Addressing HPV vaccine myths: practical information for healthcare providers
Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics
human papillomavirus
hpv
vaccine hesitance
vaccine myths
vaccine misperceptions
title Addressing HPV vaccine myths: practical information for healthcare providers
title_full Addressing HPV vaccine myths: practical information for healthcare providers
title_fullStr Addressing HPV vaccine myths: practical information for healthcare providers
title_full_unstemmed Addressing HPV vaccine myths: practical information for healthcare providers
title_short Addressing HPV vaccine myths: practical information for healthcare providers
title_sort addressing hpv vaccine myths practical information for healthcare providers
topic human papillomavirus
hpv
vaccine hesitance
vaccine myths
vaccine misperceptions
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/21645515.2019.1565267
work_keys_str_mv AT robertabednarczyk addressinghpvvaccinemythspracticalinformationforhealthcareproviders