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In a new report using data from its National Immunization Survey-Teen, CDC found coverage with routine adolescent vaccines is rising, but “the increase in [human papillomavirus] coverage among adolescent females is lagging, with only one-third having received the full three-dose series.”
The proportion of female teens who had received at least one dose of HPV vaccine grew from 44.3 percent to 48.7 percent from 2009 to 2010, while the proportion who had received all three doses rose from 26.7 percent to 32 percent. The survey collected information on more than 19,000 youths ages 13 to 17.
“As in previous years, coverage with =1 dose of HPV was higher among older compared with younger adolescent females,” the authors wrote. “Among females with adequate time to complete the series, 30.4 percent had not done so. HPV completion rates were lower among certain populations (i.e., blacks, Hispanics and those living below poverty) known to have higher cervical cancer rates.
“Although HPV vaccination is only universally recommended for females aged nine through 26 years, 2009 [Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices] guidance states that HPV vaccination may be administered to males aged nine through 26 years. Only 1.4 percent of males aged 13 through 17 years received the vaccine in 2010,” according to the report, which also detailed increased uptake of the vaccines MenACWY (meningococcal conjugate) and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis).
“Although adolescent vaccination is increasing, additional strategies are needed to meet ‘Healthy People 2020’ vaccination objectives for adolescents, particularly for HPV vaccination, because the increase in HPV coverage significantly lags behind other adolescent vaccines,” the authors wrote. “A new 2012 Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set measure requiring health plans to track the number of females who receive three HPV doses by age 13 years is expected to lead to increased HPV vaccination rates.”
“Stronger provider recommendations for HPV vaccination, implementing reminder-recall systems, eliminating missed opportunities, and educating parents of adolescents regarding the risk for HPV infection and the benefits of vaccination, are needed to effectively protect adolescent girls against cervical cancer,” the team concluded.
The report, “National and State Vaccination Coverage among Adolescents Aged 13 through 17 Years - United States, 2010,” was published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2011; 60(33):1117-1123).
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