Posts show confusion about why children need the HPV vaccine

Meanwhile, conversations expressed support for reproductive health care access.

Last week, an X post sparked confusion about why children need the HPV vaccine, and some comments cited false claims about the vaccine’s safety. In other discussions, social media posts shared support for free condoms and expressed concern about two Planned Parenthood health centers closing in Utah.

In response, communicators may recirculate information about the HPV vaccine, explain where people can access birth control for free or at low cost, and direct people to local and virtual reproductive health care resources.

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What’s trending nationally in conversations about reproductive health:

On April 22, an X user shared a post stating that while she is “not anti-vaccine,” she is unhappy that her children’s pediatrician “has repeatedly ‘strongly advised’ the HPV vaccine (for STDs).” The post received approximately 10.5 million views, 22,000 likes, 3,100 reposts, and 4,700 comments as of April 29. Some commenters correctly noted that the HPV vaccine prevents HPV-related cancers. Others asked why children would need HPV vaccines if HPV is a sexually transmitted infection. A few responded to those questions, explaining that the HPV vaccine is recommended for children so that they are protected before becoming sexually active. Several popular comments shared unfounded safety concerns about the HPV vaccine, falsely claiming that the vaccine has been linked to infertility, that it is ineffective at preventing HPV-related cancers, and that it has been linked to widespread health problems.

Leading up to a special election for the Minnesota Senate on April 29, social media users across platforms began recirculating a candidate’s previous remarks about reproductive health. Several posts shared a 2017 video of the candidate speaking out against a public health proposal to include condoms and lubricant in postpartum care kits for new parents. Commenters on X posts and in a thread on a Minnesota subreddit sharing the video expressed support for distributing free condoms and joked about the candidate’s comments, with some calling her “pro-STD.”

Several recent articles and social media posts highlighted Planned Parenthood closures across the country due to federal funding cuts, including two of the eight locations in Utah. A Facebook post sharing an article about the Utah closures received approximately 2,000 views as of April 28. A few comments celebrated the news, suggesting that the closures will lead to fewer abortions in the state. However, one of the closing clinics does not provide abortion care, and the other provides medication abortion only. Most other comments expressed concern about diminishing access to reproductive health care across the country, and many noted that Planned Parenthood provides a variety of services, including cancer screenings, STI testing, birth control, and prenatal care.

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Recommendations for public health professionals

Each week, the Infodemiology.com team will provide messaging recommendations in response to some of the trending narratives outlined above. These helpful tips can be used when creating content, updating web and FAQ pages, and developing strategy for messaging about reproductive health. 

In response to conversations about PPD, messaging may emphasize that PPD is a serious, potentially life-threatening mental health condition that impacts about one in eight people who give birth in the U.S. Outlining symptoms and treatment options is recommended. Messaging may also note that new parents who did not give birth, including cisgender men, may experience PPD symptoms after a partner gives birth or after adopting a baby. Communicators may also want to share free and low-cost mental health resources for pregnant and postpartum people, including sliding scale therapy, support groups, local mental health centers, the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, and the Postpartum Support International HelpLine.

Conversations about birth control provide an opportunity to highlight the types of birth control, their effectiveness, and how to access them. Communicators may also share information about pain management options for IUD insertion, as the CDC updated its guidance last year. Messaging may note that while birth control is very effective, no form of birth control is 100 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. Using condoms in addition to another form of birth control further reduces the risk of pregnancy. Condoms also protect against sexually transmitted infections.

As legal challenges impact abortion access across states, communicators may continue to ensure that all materials outlining abortion legislation in their state are up to date. Messaging may emphasize that it is legal to travel out of state for an abortion. Communicators may direct people to the National Network of Abortion Funds, which connects people to donation-based organizations that can help pay for abortions and associated costs, like travel and lodging. Communicators may also share the Repro Legal Helpline, which provides free, confidential legal services for people seeking abortions; Plan C, which offers information about accessing abortion pills in every state; and AbortionFinder.org, which directs people to reputable abortion providers.