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

Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with parents of daughters and children with a cervix aged 10 to 14, living in Victoria, Australia. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to explore parents' knowledge of chlamydia, their attitudes towards vaccines, their perspectives on various 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 to receive the vaccine or not. Parents felt that delivery via a free, school-based rollout, delivered to all genders, alongside the Human Papillomavirus vaccine as part of the national immunization schedule, would be the most practical. They requested information and resources for parents and adolescents to support future rollout.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents are likely to accept a school-based chlamydia vaccine program delivered in combination with the Human Papillomavirus vaccination, supported by strategic communication and resources for their adolescent children of all genders.