Barriers to acceptance of the human papillomavirus prophylactic vaccine

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. In June 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration approved Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 recombinant vaccine. Indicated for young girls and women aged 9 to 26, Gardasil is the first vaccine approved to prevent transmission of HPV types 16 and 18. In order to move toward universal acceptance of the HPV vaccine by the general population, both mandated HPV vaccination and HPV vaccination-specific issues must be addressed. Identifying and understanding factors associated with the acceptance of the HPV vaccine has been and will continue to be important so physicians can assist parents and adolescents in their decision to refuse or accept the vaccine. Despite the potential social and cultural barriers to a universal HPV vaccination program, numerous studies have indicated a willingness among many women to accept the vaccine for their daughters. It is clear that education will play an important role in the implementation of such a vaccination program.