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Survey findings show that many people underestimate how common HPV is, remain unaware of its links to several cancers and are less likely to associate the virus with boys. Health experts and public health programmes are urging families to use reliable information, support HPV vaccination and include all young people in conversations about prevention.
Human papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, is one of the most widespread infections in the world, yet it remains a subject that many families do not discuss often enough.
Health conversations at home usually focus on sleep, diet, emotional wellbeing, exercise, screen use and the pressures of school or work. HPV can be overlooked because it is frequently associated with embarrassment, outdated assumptions or uncertainty about how it is transmitted and what it means for long-term health. In many cases, people who acquire HPV experience no symptoms and never realise they have been infected.
The immune system often clears the infection naturally, but some types of the virus are considered high risk because they can contribute to the development of cancers, including cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancer. HPV can affect people of all genders, making it important that families receive balanced and accurate information rather than viewing it only through the lens of cervical cancer.
Research commissioned by MSD Ireland and conducted by Ipsos B&A among more than 1,000 adults in Ireland indicates that significant gaps remain in public understanding. Just 10% of those surveyed said they were aware of HPV and had a full understanding of what it is. At the same time, 93% did not recognise how common the virus is, while 38% either did not know or were unaware that HPV can be linked to certain cancers.
The findings also highlighted a clear gender imbalance in public perception. Almost one in four respondents did not know that boys can develop some HPV-related cancers. Concern among parents reflected the same pattern: 75% of parents with daughters under 18 said they were worried about their daughter coming into contact with HPV, compared with 42% of parents with sons in the same age group.
The association between HPV and cervical cancer has helped raise vital awareness, but it may also have led some families to believe that vaccination and prevention are mainly issues for girls. A broader understanding is needed, as boys can also be affected and men have an important role to play in efforts to eliminate cervical cancer. Parents make health decisions while navigating busy schedules and a large volume of information from different sources.
Health service websites and leaflets, GPs, schools, colleges, traditional media and social media all influence how families understand HPV and vaccination. However, the quality and reliability of information can vary. The research identified several factors that may delay participation in the national HPV vaccination programme, including waiting for a GP to raise the subject, limited knowledge of HPV and its cancer links, misinformation and general concerns about vaccines.
Clear communication from trusted health professionals and schools can help families assess the facts and make informed decisions. In Ireland, HPV vaccination is offered to students in the first year of secondary school through the HSE School Immunisation Programme. Young people who missed the original opportunity may also be eligible through the Laura Brennan HPV vaccination schools catch-up programme, which is available to fifth- and sixth-year students during the 2025/2026 academic year.
Further catch-up arrangements are also being planned for the following school year. These measures form part of a wider national effort to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2040. Ireland is combining vaccination, screening, awareness and treatment to reach that goal, and current progress suggests the country is on course to achieve elimination within one generation.
A decision made when a child starts secondary school can therefore contribute to a long-term public health achievement that benefits future generations. For families, the most useful first step may be a calm and age-appropriate conversation. Parents can review information supplied by the school, ask healthcare professionals questions and discuss what HPV is, why vaccination is offered and how prevention supports future health. Such discussions do not need to be alarming or complicated.
They can help young people understand their bodies, challenge misconceptions and ensure that boys and girls are considered equally. The survey suggests that parents want to make choices that protect their children, but accessible and trustworthy information is essential. When families understand that HPV is common, that some infections can have serious consequences and that vaccination is part of a wider prevention strategy, they are better placed to make confident decisions.
The research was commissioned by MSD Ireland and conducted by Ipsos B&A among a sample of more than 1,000 adults in Ireland, based on MSD data on file from 2025
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