Most Americans Misunderstand Which Sexually Transmitted Infections Have Preventive Vaccines

Why It Matters

Misunderstanding which STIs can be prevented by vaccination hampers uptake of existing vaccines and fuels false expectations about unavailable ones, undermining public‑health efforts to curb rising infection rates.

Key Takeaways

• 68% know HPV vaccine exists; 42% aware of mpox vaccine.
• 61% unsure or think syphilis has a vaccine, though none exists.
• 91% correctly identify syphilis as sexually transmitted.
• Only 35% know mpox can be sexually transmitted.

Pulse Analysis

The Annenberg survey highlights a paradox in American STI awareness: while most adults correctly identify the primary sexual transmission routes for common infections, they remain largely uninformed about which diseases can be prevented with vaccines. HPV enjoys the highest recognition, with two‑thirds of respondents aware of its vaccine, yet even this knowledge coexists with a persistent myth that vaccination encourages risky sexual behavior. Mpox, newly added to the vaccine‑preventable list, is known by less than half of the public, and a majority mistakenly believe vaccines exist for viral and bacterial STIs that lack them, such as herpes and syphilis. This knowledge gap creates a false sense of security and may deter individuals from seeking proven preventive measures like regular screening and condom use.

Compounding the awareness deficit, CDC surveillance shows STI incidence remains 13% above 2014 levels, with syphilis cases exceeding 190,000 in 2024 and congenital syphilis rates soaring nearly seven‑fold over the past decade. The survey’s finding that 91% correctly label syphilis as sexually transmitted is encouraging, yet over 60% either doubt or incorrectly assert the existence of a syphilis vaccine, potentially obscuring the importance of timely antibiotic treatment and prenatal testing. Misconceptions about transmission pathways—only 35% recognize mpox’s sexual spread and a mere 13% acknowledge Zika’s sexual route—further dilute public‑health messaging, risking delayed diagnosis and continued community spread.

Policy makers and health communicators must translate these insights into targeted education campaigns that clarify vaccine availability while reinforcing proven prevention strategies. The CDC and state health departments can leverage the survey’s demographic data to tailor messages for groups with the lowest awareness, integrating vaccine facts into routine STI screening visits and school‑based health curricula. By correcting false beliefs about non‑existent vaccines and emphasizing the protective benefits of existing ones, the United States can improve vaccine uptake, reduce STI transmission, and mitigate the long‑term health and economic burdens associated with rising infection rates.