The Introduction of the HPV Vaccine in Brazil, the Print Media, and Misinformation

The introduction of the HPV vaccine in Brazil was initially well received, achieving a high national coverage rate in the first half of 2014. Despite the efforts of the Ministry of Health, a significant decline in uptake was observed over the subsequent six months, with the causes still under investigation. Given the influence of the print media, this study aims to describe the discursive strategies used in the narratives conveyed by the print media in order to elucidate their role in shaping public debate during the introduction of the HPV vaccine between 2014 and 2018. The methodology adopted was qualitative, involving a discourse analysis of articles and texts published in the print media, as well as the statements from professional organisations featured in various journalistic reports. Additionally, a public action filed by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office against the HPV vaccine, which received substantial media coverage, was included as a source of analysis. The findings revealed the discursive strategies employed by both proponents and opponents of the vaccine. The public debate was predominantly centred around issues of effectiveness, safety, and economic costs, with each side offering its own interpretation of the existing scientific evidence. However, despite the wealth of data and scientific evidence available, the media debate did not explore the controversial and critical aspects of vaccination. The study concluded that the media struggled to distinguish between science and pseudoscience, converting scientific evidence into opinion. It missed the opportunity to contribute to clarifying the effectiveness and safety of the public health strategy.