Factors associated with HPV vaccine hesitancy: A nationally representative cross-sectional study

Despite HPV vaccine availability in Brazil at the public health system, vaccination coverage remains below the target for both genders. However, according to this analysis, there is a low rate of HPV vaccination hesitancy in the country, being lack of knowledge, difficulty in accessing the vaccine and lack of vaccine prescription by health professionals the main obstacles to adequate adherence. The COVID-19 pandemic doesn't seem to have affected HPV vaccination resistance in the country. Proper strategies for vaccine implementation, including school-based programs, patient-provider communication and education, and integrated monitoring and evaluation strategies are needed, otherwise HPV vaccine programs run the risk of repeating the problems associated with Pap programs in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs): an efficient, life-saving tool underutilized for cancer prevention.