Parental acceptance of adolescent vaccines within school-based health centres

Parental acceptability of genital herpes (HV) and meningococcal (MV) vaccines within school-based health centres (SBHCs) was examined. A convenience sample of 85 parents completed a telephone survey. Eighty-five per cent of respondents supported offering the HV within SBHCs; 87% the MV. Sixty-two per cent of respondents would allow HV to be administered to their adolescent in the SBHC, 75% the MV. When location of vaccination was unspecified, 42% of parents would allow vaccination of their adolescent for HV, and 71% would permit MV vaccination. Parents supported offering HV via SBHCs; many would permit their adolescent to receive it. Predictors included SBHC perceptions and a belief that all adolescents should be vaccinated for genital herpes. Perceptions of stigma/shame associated with sexually transmitted infections were not related to herpes vaccine acceptability. Efforts to enhance vaccine uptake for adolescents should focus on promoting positive perceptions of the location of vaccination and universal recommendations.