Between 2014 and 2023, 70.9% of Brazilian girls received the first dose of the vaccine against the virus, while only 54.3% of them were immunized with the second dose. In the case of boys, the rate is even worse: 45.3% received the first dose, and only 27.7% the second, according to the Ministry of Health.
But why are the numbers so low, if the National Immunization Program (PNI) offers a free vaccine against the virus for children and young people?
One of the reasons is precisely the fact that the vaccine is indicated for people who preferably have not yet started their sexual life..
Many parents believe that vaccinating children against a sexually transmitted infection will make them start having sex at an earlier age. In addition to there being no relationship between the vaccine and the early onset of sexual life, the reason for vaccinating children is purely biological: children tend to have a more effective immune response to vaccines than adults, especially before coming into contact with the virus. .
Another reason would be the lack of good communication. The Ministry of Health has already changed the target audience a few times, and vaccines that require more than one dose tend to have lower vaccination coverage.
Many fathers, mothers and guardians also do not understand the need to vaccinate boys against HPV, as they believe that the virus only causes cervical cancer. In addition to protecting future partners and sexual partners, vaccinating young people protects them against other types of cancer, such as anal, penile and throat, and also against condyloma, a benign disease that causes genital warts and very unpleasant symptoms. .
