April 2026: New Irish research surveying over 1,000 people, carried out by Ipsos B&A on behalf of MSD Ireland, has revealed widening gaps in public understanding of Human Papillomavirus (HPV), with notable differences between the attitudes of parents of boys and parents of girls.
While HPV is very common, only one in ten people surveyed report being aware of and having a full understanding of what HPV is, and 93% do not realise how widespread the virus is. The findings also show that 38% of people don’t know or are unaware that HPV can lead to certain types of cancer. These knowledge gaps are even more pronounced when it comes to associated risks of HPV, with nearly one in four unaware that boys can develop certain types of HPV‑related cancers.
For parents, the research paints a mixed picture. Despite HPV being something most people will encounter during their lifetime, 54% of respondents were not worried about personally coming into contact with HPV. Meanwhile, 75% of parents of daughters under 18 were worried about their daughter coming into contact with HPV, higher than parents of sons under 18 (42%).
HPV refers to a group of more than 200 related viruses, and most people will contract at least one type in their lifetime. For many, the infection clears naturally without causing harm. However, some HPV types are classified as high‑risk due to their association with several cancers. Because HPV rarely causes symptoms, most people who carry the virus do not know they have it, making it difficult to identify when it was acquired.These factors contribute to ongoing misconceptions and highlight the importance of accessible, gender‑inclusive information for parents and the wider public.
HPV vaccination is offered to students in first year of secondary school as part of the HSE School Immunisation Programme. The Laura Brennan HPV Catch‑Up Programme also offers an additional opportunity for eligible young people in fifth and sixth year who may have missed the HPV vaccine when it was first offered in school. This initiative aims to remove barriers to access, support informed decision‑making, and ensure more young people are protected in line with HSE immunisation guidelines regardless of gender.
Commenting on the findings, the Marie Keating Foundation emphasised the importance of improving understanding of HPV and ensuring parents have access to clear, reliable information. Marking World Immunisation Week (24-30 April) Bernie Carter, Assistant Director of Nursing Services at the Marie Keating Foundation, said:
“Raising awareness about HPV and the ways to help prevent HPV‑related disease is something I am passionate about. HPV can affect people of all genders, and while many cancers cannot be prevented, there are established measures that can help reduce the risk of certain HPV‑related cancers. Education, open conversation and access to clear, reliable information all play an important role. Availing of immunisation programmes, when offered in school, is one such public health measure. Vaccination against HPV has been part of the National Immunisation Programme for nearly 16 years. By increasing understanding of HPV infection – and of available screening and prevention options – we can work together to support the health and wellbeing of young people.”
What Research Participants Said (Selected Findings)
- Sources shaping perceptions include health service leaflets and websites (66% each), traditional media (58%), GPs (52%), educational programmes in schools/colleges (53%) and social media (33%, particularly among younger adults).
- Among the potential motivators for prevention include awareness of HPV and cervical cancer (92%), desire to prevent cancer in females (92%), understanding protection related to future partners (90%), national campaigns (86%) and more information from school (84%).
- Barriers for parents to getting their child vaccinated include those waiting for a GP to mention it, a preference to let the child decide, limited knowledge about HPV or its link to cancer, the influence of misinformation, and general vaccine hesitancy.
The research underscores the role of trusted sources, such as health service leaflets and websites (66%), traditional media (58%), GPs (52%) and educational programmes in schools/colleges (53%), in shaping parental perceptions, while also identifying barriers such as waiting for GP to mention it, limited understanding of HPV and broader vaccine hesitancy.
For more information on HPV and the Schools Immunisation Programme, visit the HSE website or HPV Aware.
