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Teen Tdap MenACWY HPV vaccine coverage increases nationwide
Adolescent Tdap, quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate and HPV vaccination coverage increased in the United States from 2013 to 2014, although HPV vaccination coverage remains comparatively low, according to a recent report in MMWR.
“I am frustrated that in 2014, four out of 10 adolescent girls and six out of 10 adolescent boys had not even started the HPV vaccine series and are vulnerable to cancers caused by HPV,” Anne Schuchat, MD, assistant surgeon general, said at a news conference. “High Tdap and quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine rates show that it is possible to achieve high HPV vaccination rates with the current infrastructure.”
Anne Schuchat
CDC researchers analyzed data from the National Immunization Survey-Teen, a survey that collected 20,827 provider-verified responses regarding adolescents aged 13 to 17 years.
Nationwide vaccination rates rose significantly from 2013 to 2014 for all three vaccines. Tdap vaccination coverage rose from 84.7% to 87.6%, while MenACWY vaccination coverage grew from 76.6% to 79.3%. HPV vaccination rates were notably lower than Tdap and MenACWY, yet still climbed from 56.7% to 60% in girls and 33.6% to 41.7% in boys.
HPV coverage rates varied nationwide, with pockets of higher coverage spread across the country. Rhode Island had the highest HPV vaccination coverage rates; 76% of girls and 69% of boys at least started the vaccination series. Kansas reported the lowest coverage for girls (38.3%), while Indiana reported the lowest coverage for boys (23.2%).
The researchers noted increased vaccination rates in diverse geographic areas of the country, suggesting that HPV vaccination is not prohibited by location.
In order to increase vaccination rates nationwide, CDC recommends HPV vaccination be administered to children aged 11 to 12 years, around the same time Tdap and MenACWY are administered. Despite this recommendation, progress was not observed in HPV vaccination doses received by children aged younger than 13 years, suggesting that children are receiving their first doses at a later age.
“I am urging clinicians to get into the routine of recommending cancer prevention at 11 to 12 years of age,” Schuchat said. “Our research shows that an effective recommendation from a health care professional is crucial to a parent’s decision to get HPV vaccine for their child.” – by David Costill
