How to raise HPV vaccine rates: Work together

July 5, 2017|Infectious Disease Practitioner

5 steps to increase HPV vaccination

Melissa Kottke, MD, director of the Jane Fonda Center for Adolescent Reproductive Health at Emory University offered her practice steps for increased HPV vaccination rates.

1. Be clear about your recommendation. For example, “I recommend the HPV vaccine. It can help prevent cancer.”

2. Do not delay. From an immune response and potential HPV exposure standpoint, receiving the vaccine at a younger age is better than receiving it at an older age.

3. Educate the entire clinical team (front desk staff, nursing, medical assistants, etc.) about the HPV vaccine so there is consistent messaging and delivery.

4. Establish streamlined systems. The vaccine recommendation, order, and follow-up should be streamlined and automated, if possible. Systems should also ensure documentation of vaccine receipt.

5. Make time for conversations with patients who are mothers and grandmothers. Recommend the HPV vaccine for males and females aged 9-26 years old. Encourage parents/grandparents to follow-up with the child’s doctor or offer to provide the vaccine in your office.

*This story was updated 8/22/2017.

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