日本性感染症学会誌 Journal of Japanese Society for Sexually Transmitted Infections

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rate in Japan had sharply decreased owing to the suspension of proactive recommendations of HPV vaccine in June 2013. Twenty-four patients who were vaccinated for HPV in our clinic after the suspension of proactive recommendations of the vaccine were investigated regarding their motives and backgrounds for deciding to receive the vaccination, and we retrospectively examined the factors that may contribute to a future improvement in the HPV vaccination rate. Of the vaccinated patients, 54.2% decided to receive the vaccination based on a medical staff recommendation, and the scientific information provided by experts was considered effective for decision making. Although it is not well known, HPV vaccinations remain routine in Japan. Therefore, education at school and lectures for parents are considered to be effective in facilitating the vaccinations. We expect further action from related academic societies toward the resumption of proactive recommendations of the vaccine as soon as possible.