Findings from Exploratory and Materials Testing Focus Groups with Korean American Parents regarding Preteen Vaccination and the 11- and 12-Year-Old Checkup

In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a new campaign for parents to promote three important vaccines for 11- and 12-year-old children: MCV4, which protects against meningococcal disease; Tdap, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis; and the HPV4 vaccine, which protects women against the types of human papillomavirus most commonly associated with cervical cancer and genital warts. The CDC is adapting these campaign materials for Korean Americans, who face significant barriers to accessing health information and experience high rates of cervical cancer. As part of this process, the CDC conducted focus groups with Korean American parents to understand their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about preteen vaccination and to test adapted campaign materials. Although participants had limited awareness of the need for preteen vaccines, once they learned of CDC recommendations, they were willing to consider vaccinating their children to keep them healthy. Findings suggest that this willingness can be bolstered by advice from physicians, schools, and government agencies. Participants found the information provided in the materials to be useful and credible and preferred receiving this information in a direct and factual manner. Materials designed and formatted similar to what might be produced in Korea are most appealing to this audience.