An optimistic impression of vaccination causes a better vaccination rate for the human papillomavirus vaccine.

The Japanese vaccination rate for infants and children is evidently excellent, except for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Regardless of its efficacy, the inoculation rate in Japan has declined to nearly 1 % since 2013 because of negative information about vaccine side effects. 

The present study demonstrated the factors that caused low vaccine acceptance rates (e.g., caregiver attitudes, popular misconceptions) to inform the relevant target demographic of a stronger intention to immunize and to facilitate recovery of HPV vaccine coverage.

The study used data from two questionnaire surveys. It performed statistical analyses of factors affecting vaccine impressions and mediation effects of HPV vaccine impressions. The study evaluated the difference in the knowledge about each vaccine and observed the following-

• Among the respondents, 95.9 % reported their intent to vaccinate their infants, while 58.2–78.3 % felt that they sufficiently understood the aims, efficacy, and risks of vaccination, and 66.6 % showed a positive impression of vaccines. 
• 21.3 % of parents responded that they planned to vaccinate their child against HPV, and 25.8 % showed to have a favorable impression of this vaccine. 
• Regarding vaccine impressions, parents had anxiety about vaccines when they felt their knowledge of vaccines was insufficient. 
• Additionally, impressions of the HPV vaccine-mediated the association between the impressions of infant vaccines and parents’ intent to provide the vaccine to their children.

These findings indicate that, as a society, we must improve impressions and knowledge regarding vaccines, including but not solely the HPV vaccine. Moreover, although the recovery of HPV vaccine coverage is strongly desired for enhancing public health, merely improving impressions about the HPV vaccine or educating parents with substantive knowledge is insufficient. Rather, improving impressions and understanding of the vaccination itself is essential.

Jwa S, Yuyama Y, Yoshida H, Hamazaki T. A favorable impression of vaccination leads to a better vaccination rate for the human papillomavirus vaccine: A Japanese questionnaire survey investigation. Vaccine: X. 2023;13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvacx.2022.100254.