Perception of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic

Byline: Ye Won Jung, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Sejong, Republic of Korea; Soo Youn Song, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Sejong, Republic of Korea; Won Kyo Shin, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Sejong, Republic of Korea; Su Min Chung, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Deajeon, Republic of Korea.; Ji Won Park, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Deajeon, Republic of Korea.; Heon Jong Yoo, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital, Sejong, Republic of Korea Abstract The COVID 19 pandemic is far from over, and vaccines remain important tool for fighting the disease. As the preventive effects of the COVID-19 vaccine emerges, it is likely that the perception of importance and safety of vaccines have a positive effect on the acceptance of other vaccines. However, it is still unclear how COVID-19 pandemic has affected the general vaccination perception and acceptance. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perception of HPV vaccination. This study involved an offline survey of 161 women aged between 20 and 49 years who visited the gynecologic clinic at Chung-nam National University Sejong Hospital from January 2021 to June 2021. The questionnaire consists of items related to experience and knowledge of COVID-19 and HPV viruses, as well as attitudes toward HPV vaccination. Knowledge about COVID-19 virus and HPV correlated positively with their experiences (PÇà=Çà.011 and PÇà=Çà.045, respectively). Positive attitude was increased, and negative attitude was reduced toward HPV vaccination in the COVID-19 pandemic era. Participants stated that accurate information and cost reduction about HPV vaccine was needed to increase the HPV vaccination rate. During the COVID-19 pandemic era, positive attitudes towards HPV vaccination have tended to increase. To increase the HPV vaccination rate, public efforts are needed for further information and cost reduction.