The New Zealand National Immunisation Schedule includes free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for 11-12 year old girls and boys.

Parental vaccine hesitancy occurs with all vaccines. The HPV vaccine is specifically vulnerable because of the age when given, and because it prevents sexually transmitted infections.

At the Growing Up in New Zealand study 8-year data-collection-wave, mothers were asked about their intentions regarding their child receiving the HPV vaccine.

The research objectives are to:

1. Describe the HPV vaccination intentions of mothers for their 8-year-old daughters and sons.

2. Identify demographic factors, household characteristics, and social and behavioural factors associated with maternal intentions for HPV vaccination.

3. Identify healthcare factors associated with maternal intentions for HPV vaccination.

4. Describe the relationship of the child’s past vaccination experiences with maternal intentions for HPV vaccination.

This project will describe whether mothers of 8-year-old girls and boys have decided to have their child vaccinated against HPV. In addition, data collected antenatally and when the children were 9, 24, and 54 months and 8 years old will be used to describe: the child, household and family characteristics; family social and behavioural factors; the family’s relationship with primary healthcare; and the child’s past vaccination experiences.

Associations of these factors with maternal HPV vaccination intentions will be examined.

Findings from this study will inform the development of educational resources and approaches that help parents decide to have their child vaccinated against HPV.