Bringing the HPV vaccination rate into line with other adolescent immunizations
Use simple practice measures and counsel parents with compelling evidence to help correct the low uptake of this vital vaccine.
PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS
› Review vaccination status at every adolescent health care visit. C
› Give a clear, unambiguous, strong recommendation to vaccinate with human papillomavirus (HPV) to prevent infection; cervical, oropharyngeal, and other cancers; and genital warts. A
› Schedule follow-up appointments at checkout following initiation of HPV vaccination to help ensure completion of the series. C
Strength of recommendation (SOR)
A Good-quality patient-oriented evidence
B Inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence
C Consensus, usual practice, opinion, disease-oriented evidence, case series
From The Journal of Family Practice | 2019;68(10):E1-E7.
A large longitudinal adolescent health survey administered in British Columbia looked at sexual health behaviors and risk factors in adolescent girls before and after receipt of HPV vaccination (2003, 2008, 2013).59 Results showed no significant change in the reported number of sexual partners (2003-2013), increased reported use of contraception and condoms, and lower pregnancy rates.59 There is no evidence that HPV vaccines cause reproductive problems in women53; a review of VAERS reports from 2009 through 2015 did not detect any safety concerns for POI or other reproductive problems in females.60 A 2018 population-based study of nearly 200,000 women observed no increase of POI following receipt of HPV vaccination.61 In addition, several recent studies have shown no increased risk for GBS following receipt of HPV vaccine.62-64
CORRESPONDENCE
Pamela G. Rockwell, DO, FAAFP, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, SPC 5795, Room 2300, Lobby H, Ann Arbor, MI 48105; prockwel@umich.edu.
