A Chlamydia Vaccine for Adolescents: What Do Parents Think? A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND: Chlamydia remains a significant public health problem despite the availability of effective treatment. Chlamydia vaccines are currently under development, presenting a new opportunity to reduce the prevalence and prevent long-term sequelae. Ideally, a chlamydia vaccine would be administered to adolescents before sexual debut, a time when parents are primary decision makers. However, it is unclear how acceptable such vaccines will be to young people and parents. This qualitative study explores Australian parents' perspectives on the acceptability of a chlamydia vaccine for their adolescent children. METHODS: 18 semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents with daughters and children with a cervix, aged 10-14, living in Victoria, Australia. Reflexive thematic analysis was conducted to understand parents' knowledge of chlamydia, attitudes towards vaccines, views on a range of potential vaccine characteristics, and delivery preferences. RESULTS: Parents were supportive of a future chlamydia vaccine. Trust in science and a desire to do the right thing as a parent and for the community were enabling factors underpinning vaccine acceptance. However, there were mixed opinions about whether parents or adolescents should decide whether to receive the vaccine. Parents felt that delivery via a free, school-based rollout, delivered to all genders, alongside the HPV vaccine as part of the national immunisation schedule, would be the most practical. They requested information and resources for parents and adolescents to support future roll-out. CONCLUSIONS: Parents are likely to accept a school-based chlamydia vaccine program delivered in combination with the HPV vaccination, supported by strategic communication and resources for their adolescent children of all genders.