HPV Vaccine Hesitancy: Why Parents Delay Vaccination
Misinformation Hinders HPV Vaccination Rates in Brazil, Despite Medical Recommendations
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Updated September 8, 2024, at 14:46:26 UTC
Persistent Myths Delay HPV Vaccine for Brazilian Children
Despite clear medical guidance, misinformation and lingering prejudices surrounding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine continue to cause hesitation among parents and even some doctors in Brazil.Reports from Vivabem indicate that some pediatricians are advising parents to delay vaccination until their children, notably girls, reach 12 years of age.
These professionals, when questioned, reportedly offered no scientific justification for the delay, suggesting vaccination should occur after the onset of a girl’s first menstruation and before the initiation of sexual activity. This practice, however, is unsupported by scientific evidence or leading medical organizations like the Brazilian Society of Immunizations (SBIM) and the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP).
Medical Experts Debunk Common Misconceptions
“It’s sadly not uncommon,” explains Mônica Levi, president of SBIM. “Both doctors and parents may believe the child is safe because they are not yet sexually active.” Levi emphasizes that this is a myth, and also addresses the misconception that vaccination encourages early sexual activity. “All of this is a myth,” she states.
SBIM recommends HPV vaccination between the ages of nine and 14, a range that remains appropriate even for those who choose to delay. Levi notes that children aged nine and ten are typically accompanied to pediatric appointments by their parents, making it easier to ensure vaccination is administered. This parental involvement decreases as children enter adolescence.
Parental Oversight Key to Increased Vaccination Coverage
Delaying vaccination until adolescence presents logistical challenges. Ensuring vaccination-not only for HPV but for othre preventable diseases-is more easily achieved while children are still under the consistent care and supervision of parents or guardians,before the onset of puberty.
Eduardo Jorge da Fonseca Lima, president of the SBP Immunizations Department and federal Counselor by pernambuco of CFM (Federal Council of Medicine), echoes this sentiment. ”At nine or ten, children still attend appointments with their mothers, but teenagers are less likely to go with a parent. The older the child, the lower the vaccination coverage,” he explains.