BREAKING: A new study from CUNY SPH researchers exposes alarming levels of mistrust and misinformation that are significantly contributing to HPV vaccine hesitancy among U.S. adolescents. Published today in the journal Vaccine, the study surveyed over 1,000 parents and caregivers across the Northeast and Southeast U.S., revealing critical barriers that must be addressed urgently.
The research, led by Associate Professor Spring Cooper along with doctoral students Ira Memaj, Ingrid Williams, and Aisha King, included in-depth interviews with 41 vaccine-hesitant participants. The findings highlighted four main factors fueling hesitancy: fears about side effects and vaccine effectiveness, a pervasive mistrust in government and health systems, reliance on social media for health information, and concerns regarding the vaccine’s connection to sexual activity.
Parents expressed a struggle between protecting their children from HPV-related cancers and respecting their autonomy. The study indicates that low health and media literacy further complicate these decisions, resulting in a troubling trend of low HPV vaccination rates across the nation.
In a statement, Cooper emphasized,
“Effective, trust-based communication from health care providers is critical to overcoming these barriers.”
The researchers advocate for tailored discussions that address specific parental concerns while providing transparent information. This approach could significantly improve health literacy and ultimately boost HPV vaccination rates nationwide.
As the HPV vaccination campaign faces an uphill battle against misinformation, health officials are urged to prioritize effective communication strategies. The implications of this study are profound, impacting not only public health but also the well-being of adolescents at risk of HPV-related cancers.
With vaccine rates lagging, the urgency to act becomes ever more critical. Parents are urged to seek credible information and engage in open conversations with healthcare providers. The time to overcome these barriers is now, as the health of future generations hangs in the balance.
For more details, refer to the full study: Spring Chenoa Cooper et al, ‘They’re not going to tell you everything’: A qualitative study with HPV vaccine hesitant parents and caregivers in the northeast and southeast U.S., Vaccine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2025.127948.
