[Willingness to pay for human papillomavirus vaccine in Metropolitan Santiago, Chile].

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a risk factor for cervical cancer and can be prevented with the HPV vaccine.

Aim: To explore the willingness of parents to pay for HPV vaccine for their offspring.

Material And Methods: A survey about the willingness to pay for HPV vaccine was answered by 386 individuals of the highest socioeconomic level who had a daughter aged between 12 and 18 years. The survey included information about the risks of HPV infection.

Results: Parents would pay a mean of US$ 758 for the vaccine. Twenty five percent of parents were not willing to pay for it. If the cost of the vaccine would be reduced by 50%, only 4% of parents would not pay for it. The willingness to pay is associated with the price of the vaccine, the income level of respondents and the size of the family.

Conclusions: Most respondents would pay for HPV vaccine for their daughters, despite the relatively high cost.