title: Implications of the Virginia human papillomavirus vaccine mandate for parental vaccine acceptance.
abstract: In 2009, Virginia became the first state in the United States to enact a school vaccine mandate for the human papillomavirus (HPV), putting it at the forefront of the national HPV vaccine mandate controversy. It is critical to explore the public response and sensemaking where the mandate has already been enacted. Thus, we conducted 8 focus group discussions among 33 Virginia parents to explore how they conceptualized the virus and vaccine and their responses to the mandate. Findings suggest that many parents are skeptical of and reluctant to follow a state-mandated vaccine requirement, choosing instead to opt out of the vaccine until they decide the time is right for their daughter and/or until they feel confident in their knowledge about the virus, vaccine, and the impetus for the mandate. Study results can inform future legislation among states considering HPV-related mandates and aid in the development of health-promotion materials within the context of a state mandate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Communications, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721-0025, USA.
authors.forename: Margaret Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pitts
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adams Tufts
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D037141:Mandatory Programs; D032541:Mass Vaccination / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D014768:Virginia
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines