Social Media and HPV Vaccine Hesitancy: How Misinformation Affects Latino Parents.

Authors

Abraham Aragones, Denise Bruno, Ilona Fridman, Isabella Sarria, Rachel Loia, Claudia Pallasa

Published in

Journal of community health. Oct 11, 2026. Epub Oct 11, 2026.

Abstract

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine coverage in the United States remains suboptimal, with Latino communities facing disproportionately lower rates and a higher burden of HPV-associated cancers. Health misinformation and disinformation (M&D) on social media represents a barrier to HPV vaccine uptake, yet little empirical evidence exists on how such content shapes vaccine decision-making. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 98 Latino parents drawn from two randomized, community-based prospective trials conducted across four U.S. metropolitan areas. Eligible participants confirmed their HPV vaccine-eligible child remained unvaccinated and reported active social media use. A structured survey assessed platform use, access frequency, health information-seeking behaviors, and exposure to HPV vaccine-specific social media content. All 98 parents reported regular social media use. Facebook (68%), Instagram (61%), WhatsApp (61%), and YouTube (48%) were the most used platforms. Three-quarters of parents (77%, n = 75) reported vaccine-related social media exposure in the prior year, with 99% (n = 74) characterizing it as negative. Over half (52%, n = 51) recalled HPV vaccine-specific content, all of whom described it as negative. 41% of all parents (n = 40) reported that perceived negative social media content directly influenced their decision to delay or refuse HPV vaccination; this proportion rose to 78% among those with HPV-specific negative exposure. Social media M&D is a self-reported, substantial driver of HPV vaccine hesitancy among Latino parents. Passive exposure and negativity of vaccine content encountered underscore an urgent need for culturally tailored counter-messaging strategies that operate within social media platforms.

PMID:
42859955
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 11 Oct 2026.

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