The Role of Internet Information on Anti-HPV Vaccines: A Comprehensive Overview of a Double-Edged Sword

Cervical cancer (CC) is the only cancer that has the possibility of primary and secondary prevention. Despite this, it is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women, especially in developing countries. The World Health Organization has set the ambitious goal of eliminating CC by 2030 by s...

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Main Authors: Luca Giannella, Camilla Grelloni, Leonardo Natalini, Gianmarco Sartini, Federica Lavezzo, Camilla Cicoli, Marco Bernardi, Mila Bordini, Martina Petrini, Jessica Petrucci, Tomas Terenzi, Giovanni Delli Carpini, Jacopo Di Giuseppe, Andrea Ciavattini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Vaccines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/5/445
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author Luca Giannella
Camilla Grelloni
Leonardo Natalini
Gianmarco Sartini
Federica Lavezzo
Camilla Cicoli
Marco Bernardi
Mila Bordini
Martina Petrini
Jessica Petrucci
Tomas Terenzi
Giovanni Delli Carpini
Jacopo Di Giuseppe
Andrea Ciavattini
author_facet Luca Giannella
Camilla Grelloni
Leonardo Natalini
Gianmarco Sartini
Federica Lavezzo
Camilla Cicoli
Marco Bernardi
Mila Bordini
Martina Petrini
Jessica Petrucci
Tomas Terenzi
Giovanni Delli Carpini
Jacopo Di Giuseppe
Andrea Ciavattini
author_sort Luca Giannella
collection DOAJ
description Cervical cancer (CC) is the only cancer that has the possibility of primary and secondary prevention. Despite this, it is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women, especially in developing countries. The World Health Organization has set the ambitious goal of eliminating CC by 2030 by suggesting specific types of intervention. Unfortunately, to date, we are very far from this goal at a global level, including developed countries. Implementing vaccination coverage among the target population is one of the strategies to be pursued in this area. Achieving this goal should include combating misinformation about the HPV vaccine, which is one of the main reasons for vaccination hesitancy. Such conspiracy theories are prevalent on social media, one of the primary sources of information for adults and adolescents today. In this regard, the Internet plays a significant role in disseminating information about the HPV vaccine, both positively and negatively. The Internet provides easy access to information about the HPV vaccine, including its safety, efficacy, recommended dosing schedule, and potential side effects. It may promote vaccine advocacy and debunking vaccine myths. On the other hand, the Internet may be the place for disseminating misinformation and influencing vaccine decision making. It is a double-edged sword in shaping public discourse and perceptions about the HPV vaccine. This overview aims to assess the literature on this topic in depth to promote evidence-based information, analyze the social channels through which misinformation spreads, and leverage digital health interventions essential for promoting HPV vaccination and reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases.
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spelling doaj-art-ec45c7b2e688446085d24d2d047c76132025-08-20T01:56:42ZengMDPI AGVaccines2076-393X2025-04-0113544510.3390/vaccines13050445The Role of Internet Information on Anti-HPV Vaccines: A Comprehensive Overview of a Double-Edged SwordLuca Giannella0Camilla Grelloni1Leonardo Natalini2Gianmarco Sartini3Federica Lavezzo4Camilla Cicoli5Marco Bernardi6Mila Bordini7Martina Petrini8Jessica Petrucci9Tomas Terenzi10Giovanni Delli Carpini11Jacopo Di Giuseppe12Andrea Ciavattini13Woman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyWoman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyWoman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyWoman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyWoman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyWoman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyWoman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyWoman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyWoman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyWoman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyWoman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyWoman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyWoman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyWoman’s Health Sciences Department, Gynecologic Section, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60123 Ancona, ItalyCervical cancer (CC) is the only cancer that has the possibility of primary and secondary prevention. Despite this, it is one of the leading causes of cancer death among women, especially in developing countries. The World Health Organization has set the ambitious goal of eliminating CC by 2030 by suggesting specific types of intervention. Unfortunately, to date, we are very far from this goal at a global level, including developed countries. Implementing vaccination coverage among the target population is one of the strategies to be pursued in this area. Achieving this goal should include combating misinformation about the HPV vaccine, which is one of the main reasons for vaccination hesitancy. Such conspiracy theories are prevalent on social media, one of the primary sources of information for adults and adolescents today. In this regard, the Internet plays a significant role in disseminating information about the HPV vaccine, both positively and negatively. The Internet provides easy access to information about the HPV vaccine, including its safety, efficacy, recommended dosing schedule, and potential side effects. It may promote vaccine advocacy and debunking vaccine myths. On the other hand, the Internet may be the place for disseminating misinformation and influencing vaccine decision making. It is a double-edged sword in shaping public discourse and perceptions about the HPV vaccine. This overview aims to assess the literature on this topic in depth to promote evidence-based information, analyze the social channels through which misinformation spreads, and leverage digital health interventions essential for promoting HPV vaccination and reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/5/445cervical cancerHPV vaccineinternetsocial mediamisinformation
spellingShingle Luca Giannella
Camilla Grelloni
Leonardo Natalini
Gianmarco Sartini
Federica Lavezzo
Camilla Cicoli
Marco Bernardi
Mila Bordini
Martina Petrini
Jessica Petrucci
Tomas Terenzi
Giovanni Delli Carpini
Jacopo Di Giuseppe
Andrea Ciavattini
The Role of Internet Information on Anti-HPV Vaccines: A Comprehensive Overview of a Double-Edged Sword
Vaccines
cervical cancer
HPV vaccine
internet
social media
misinformation
title The Role of Internet Information on Anti-HPV Vaccines: A Comprehensive Overview of a Double-Edged Sword
title_full The Role of Internet Information on Anti-HPV Vaccines: A Comprehensive Overview of a Double-Edged Sword
title_fullStr The Role of Internet Information on Anti-HPV Vaccines: A Comprehensive Overview of a Double-Edged Sword
title_full_unstemmed The Role of Internet Information on Anti-HPV Vaccines: A Comprehensive Overview of a Double-Edged Sword
title_short The Role of Internet Information on Anti-HPV Vaccines: A Comprehensive Overview of a Double-Edged Sword
title_sort role of internet information on anti hpv vaccines a comprehensive overview of a double edged sword
topic cervical cancer
HPV vaccine
internet
social media
misinformation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13/5/445
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