Peer-reviewed article
Addressing HPV vaccine hesitancy and misinformation in India through public health communication strategies.
Jindal R, R R, Ghanghas N, Gupta R, Arya R et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view ·Key points
Limitations
Abstract
India witnessed a significant step forward in cervical cancer prevention and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine coverage with the rollout of a nationwide free HPV vaccination drive aimed at vaccinating 14‑y‑old girls. However, the campaign's success rate can be significantly reduced if timely measures to tackle vaccine hesitancy and related misinformation are not taken into account. This commentary article discusses the effects of HPV vaccine misinformation, identifies global vaccine hesitancy factors, and highlights behavioral determinants affecting HPV vaccine hesitancy and its coverage in India. It identifies low awareness, misconceptions, sociocultural beliefs, stigma, safety concerns, weak injunctive norms, parental resistance, urban-rural disparities, and health system barriers as key challenges associated with vaccine hesitancy and low vaccine uptake among adolescents in India. Using an integrated Health Belief Model (HBM) and COM-B theoretical framework, it proposes a culturally sensitive, evidence-based multifactorial communication strategy focused on raising awareness, building trust, countering misinformation, capacity building of healthcare providers, and enhancing opportunities for the adoption of HPV preventive behavior. The commentary highlights the need to actively engage parents, adolescents, healthcare providers, educators, influencers, media, and community members to strengthen vaccine confidence, social norms, and support India's broader cervical cancer prevention goals in alignment with WHO's 90-70-90 targets by 2030.