Background
Methods
Data collection
Data analysis
Results
Search results
Descriptive characteristics of article content
Topics discussed | N | Percent (%) |
---|---|---|
HPV-associated cancers | ||
Cervical cancer | 20 | 58.8 |
Oropharyngeal cancer | 8 | 23.5 |
Penile cancer | 7 | 20.6 |
Vulvar/vaginal cancer | 7 | 20.6 |
Anal cancer | 4 | 11.8 |
Effective date of mandate | 31 | 91.2 |
Number of doses that are recommended for complete HPV vaccination | 13 | 38.2 |
Concerns about the efficacy and safety of the vaccine | 19 | 55.9 |
Highlighted the importance of the vaccine for cancer prevention | 27 | 79.4 |
Referred to HPV as a STI | 9 | 26.5 |
Information regarding HPV vaccine accessibility and health coverage | 8 | 23.5 |
Groups Cited | ||
Coalitions Groups Against the Implementation | 11 | 32.4 |
Government Agency Representatives | 29 | 85.3 |
Health Professionals | 10 | 29.4 |
Data and Statistics Institutes | 14 | 41.2 |
Coalitions Groups In favor of the Implementation | 4 | 11.8 |
Others | 3 | 8.8 |
Neutral media
Description of the policy (11.8%)
“All students between the ages of 11 and 12 must be vaccinated against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) by next year, the government of Puerto Rico ordered on Monday.”-Journalist
Information about HPV related cancers (9.4%)
Controversies surrounding the implementation of HPV vaccine school-entry requirement (5.6%)
“The vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) stirred controversy again since its release to the market 12 years ago, a period in which groups in favor and against [the vaccine] have deliberated on its benefits and risks.”- Journalist“On the one hand, some people applaud the Department of Health initiative so that boys and girls of 11 and 12 years old are inoculated against this disease, after being included in the list of vaccines required for school entry as of August 2018. However, others question the government’s obligation to promote a vaccine that they classify as unsafe and effective due to the experience observed in other countries. Adverse effects have been reported and created organizations of parents against it.”- Journalist
Description of the exceptions process (4.7%)
Other neutral codes discussed information regarding coverage of the cost of vaccination through the Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program and accessibility of the vaccine via the government health insurance program (5.9%). Lastly, neutral themes referred to the recommendation of HPV vaccine together with other vaccines (i.e., recommending the HPV vaccine in the same way and at the same visit as Tdap and meningococcal vaccines) (1.5%).“The Secretary of Health … said the measure applies to both public and private schools. Parents may disregard the measure for medical or religious reasons if they present an affidavit or a medical certificate.”-Journalist
Negative media
Infringement of parental and patient autonomy
… “vaccines against HPV are a tool for cervical cancer prevention; however, the vaccine should not be mandatory. These stories were mostly presented by coalitions and organizations spokespersons in which they described the need to respect parental autonomy with regards to medical decision-making for their children”.-Spokesperson from local coalitions statement
Hesitancy from groups and coalitions (5.0%)
Group | Reasons against HPV vaccine school-entry requirement |
---|---|
Family coalition | The vaccine only protects against the most common virus strains and questions its effectiveness. |
Feminist groups | Did not object to the vaccine but question the obligatory nature of the policy since the vaccine has been controversial. Recommend that it be accompanied by vaccine education and sex education. State that each family must decide freely in their health strategies. |
Local coalitions against HPV school entry requirement | Violates the rights of parents in deciding on the care of their children, and they have the right to be informed of the risks of any medical treatment. They understand that the government is obstructing education with this requirement given the high number of vaccines that are imposed annually as part of the school-entry policy and support of the 1576 bill |
Risk of the vaccine (safety and efficacy) (2.9%)
Information in the news articles noted that the HPV vaccines are a cervical cancer prevention tool; however, they highlighted opinions of some groups that the vaccine should not be mandatory (3.8%). In summary, those coalitions, and groups state that each family, after being properly informed about the vaccine’s advantages and risks, should freely decide which of these strategies they want to assume for them and their family health.“This project [1303] does not even mention the risks inherent to vaccination. [When you] read [the project] it seems that the vaccines are made from holy water,”-Quote from local coalition spokesperson against HPV school-entry requirement“We are greatly concerned about the lack of orientation on the risks of vaccination. This practice leads to an uninformed or dishonorable consent [without the proper orientation] can put risk health and life at risk”, said the organizers.-Quote from local coalition spokesperson against HPV school-entry requirement
“[This requirement] needs to be assessed carefully. If it is proven [that the vaccine] is effective and safe, I don't see any problems as long as [this requirement] will not surpass parental choice”.-Spokesperson of a family organization against HPV school entry requirement
Right to be informed (2.7%)
“We are not against vaccines, but what is being [administered] to our children has benefits and risks. It is our right as parents to be informed”.-Local coalition spokesperson against HPV school entry requirement
Positive media
Knowledge and acceptance of the HPV vaccine for cancer prevention (3.8%)
The importance of educate the population of the benefits of this vaccine were documented.“I understand that this is something positive because it is a vaccine that has been used since 2006 in Puerto Rico and the United States … a vaccine that is going to prevent cancer, a very common cancer, that when you see the data it affects many of our patients. It has a very great burden on our patients, so I understand that it is a positive thing.”-Pediatrician
“The message that must be given to the people of Puerto Rico, is that [HPV related cancers] are totally preventable. When you get vaccinated, it prevents the development of cancer, and as I said before, we have to protect our children, our adolescents”- Department of Health Representative“Yes, a lot of people don't make the link between the virus and cancer. What they have to understand is that it is a vaccine that prevents cancer, it is extraordinary … ”–News Reporter
New vaccination law proposal (1.8%)
Support from coalitions, health providers and government representatives for implementation (1.5%)
“Experts urge parents to vaccinate their children by the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year and, if so, complete the corresponding vaccination processes, according to a press release for PR Vaccination Coalition and HPV Advisory Panel.”-Journalist