Vaccine Adherence Rates Among Teens
The coverage rate for which nationally recognized vaccine is lowest among adolescents in the United States?
a. pertussis
b. human papillomavirus
c. diphtheria
d. meningococcal disease
Answer: b
Many parents are opting to forgo having their children receive the vaccine that prevents 14 million human papillomavirus (HPV) annual infections that can cause 6 different types of cancer.
Linda M. Niccolai, PhD, an associate professor at the Yale School of Public Health and member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program of the Yale Cancer Center, said that even though the HPV vaccine has been available for more than 7 years, coverage rates in the United States — only 42% of females and 28% males receive the 3-dose immunization regimen — have consistently lagged behind other industrialized countries, including England, Australia, and Demark, where national immunization programs have boosted adolescent coverage rates above 70%.
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Her recent study surveyed parents of unvaccinated children to find out why more Americans don’t capitalize on the protection offered by the HPV vaccine. The findings showed the parents did not discuss the vaccine with providers and therefore were uniformed about its effectiveness and safety. In addition, parents were not fully aware of the multi-dose vaccination regimen and couldn’t recall if their children had completed it (Qual Health Res. 2017. 26[6]:842-850).
They also didn’t grasp the importance of vaccinating boys. Providers, who in most cases had to recommend the vaccine to parents who did not request it, varied in the urgency and importance they placed on vaccination. The study also showed that parents who received information about the vaccine generally had positive views about it.
Dr. Niccolai said that finding highlighted the important role healthcare professionals play in increasing coverage of adolescents by providing parents with consistent and urgent recommendations for HPV vaccination.
—Dan Cook
