Nine in Ten (88%) Canadian Parents Support Vaccinating Boys Against HPV through Public Program at School

Toronto, ON - Nine in ten (88%) parents of children aged 10 to 17 would `support' (54% strongly/34% somewhat) their provincial government funding vaccinations of boys (in addition to girls) against HPV infection and protection against genital warts, according to an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Merck. Moreover, the proportion that strongly supports this initiative climbs by ten points among those who, during the survey, clicked a link to view pictures of genital warts, which is a potential consequence of HPV in boys. Overall, just one in ten (12%) parents would be against (4% strongly/8% somewhat) this kind of public program for boys.

Currently, only girls are offered publicly-funded vaccinations against HPV in the public school system. But nine in ten (91%) parents `agree' (64% strongly/27% somewhat) that `vaccinating both boys and girls against HPV will provide greater protection than vaccinating girls alone'. Just one in ten (9%) `disagree' (3% strongly/6% somewhat) with this premise.

Currently, almost all (93%) parents are in favour (66% strongly/27% somewhat) of the current system in the provinces whereby the government provides the HPV vaccine through public health programs free of charge for girls. However, nine in ten (87%) parents believe it is `important' (47% strongly/40% somewhat) for males to be vaccinated against HPV, while just 13% believe it is not important (3% not at all/10% not very). The proportion who strongly agrees rises by seven points among those respondents who chose to view the pictures of genital warts while completing the survey.

Most (85%) parents of boys say that they would likely allow their son to be vaccinated for the prevention of HPV infection and protection against genital warts through a publically-funded program at his school. Just 15% say they'd likely not allow their son to be vaccinated.

These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid study conducted between February 15 to March 2, 2011, on behalf of Merck. For this survey, a sample of 1,108 parents of girls and 1,123 parents of boys from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. All parents had children between the ages of 10 and 17. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what the results would have been had the entire population of parents of children aged 10 to 17 in Canada been polled. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Will Daley
Vice President
Ipsos Public Affairs
613.688.8979
[email protected]

About Ipsos Reid

Ipsos Reid is Canada's market intelligence leader, the country's leading provider of public opinion research, and research partner for loyalty and forecasting and modelling insights. With operations in eight cities, Ipsos Reid employs more than 600 research professionals and support staff in Canada. The company has the biggest network of telephone call centres in the country, as well as the largest pre-recruited household and online panels. Ipsos Reid's marketing research and public affairs practices offer the premier suite of research vehicles in Canada, all of which provide clients with actionable and relevant information. Staffed with seasoned research consultants with extensive industry-specific backgrounds, Ipsos Reid offers syndicated information or custom solutions across key sectors of the Canadian economy, including consumer packaged goods, financial services, automotive, retail, and technology & telecommunications. Ipsos Reid is an Ipsos company, a leading global survey-based market research group.

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Ipsos is a leading global survey-based market research company, owned and managed by research professionals. Ipsos helps interpret, simulate, and anticipate the needs and responses of consumers, customers, and citizens around the world.

Member companies assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media. They measure public opinion around the globe. Ipsos member companies offer expertise in advertising, customer loyalty, marketing, media, and public affairs research, as well as forecasting, modeling, and consulting. Ipsos has a full line of custom, syndicated, omnibus, panel, and online research products and services, guided by industry experts and bolstered by advanced analytics and methodologies. The company was founded in 1975 and has been publicly traded since 1999. In 2010, Ipsos generated global revenues of e1.140 billion ($1.6 billion U.S.).

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