Applied Evidence

Bringing the HPV vaccination rate into line with other adolescent immunizations

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From The Journal of Family Practice | 2019;68(10):E1-E7.

References

The threats posed by HPV

HPV infections are the most commonly transmitted infections in the United States and nearly all men and women will be exposed to one or more types of HPV at some point in their lives. Current data show that 79 million Americans, most in their late teens and early 20s, are infected with HPV, and about 14 million people in the United States become newly infected each year.18 HPV is a DNA tumor virus that causes epithelial proliferation at cutaneous and mucosal surfaces.

There are more than 100 types of the virus,19 including more than 40 strains that infect the human genital tract. Of the latter 40 strains, there are oncogenic or high-risk types and non-oncogenic or low-risk types.20 HPV infection with high-risk types causes cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in women; penile cancers in men; and oropharyngeal and anal cancers in both men and women. Low-risk HPV types cause genital warts in both men and women.21 The current available HPV vaccine in the United States is a 9-valent vaccine (9vHPV) that replaces the former 2- and 4-valent HPV vaccines and includes immunogenic coverage against high-risk HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; and low-risk types 6 and 11.22

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data from 2010 to 2014 show that approximately 23,700 women and approximately 17,300 men in the United States developed HPV-associated cancer. Most common in women are cervical cancers and in men, oropharyngeal cancers (cancers of the back of the throat, base of the tongue, and tonsils). Using population-based data to genotype HPV types from cancer tissues, the CDC reports that HPV is responsible for about 90% of cervical and anal cancers, 70% of oropharyngeal, vaginal, and vulvar cancers, and 60% of penile cancers.23 A significant percentage of these cancers could potentially be prevented by receipt of 9vHPV.23,24

Make adolescent immunization a high priority

Anticipate opportunities to vaccinate and take steps to make your immunization and scheduling processes more prominent. With HPV specifically, you can strongly advocate for vaccination, address parental misgivings and educate them using clear communication styles, and acquire knowledge to answer concerns about potential vaccine adverse ­effects.

Every visit is an opportunity to vaccinate. The American Academy of Family Physicians and The American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that adolescents have annual preventive visits for screening, immunizations, and assessment and counseling for risky behaviors. However, many adolescents do not present annually for preventive visits, and fewer than half of adolescents receive regular preventive care.25 In a study of 425 family physicians and pediatricians, almost all pediatricians endorsed the importance of annual well visits, while less than three-quarters of family physicians did.26 An analysis of national surveillance systems shows rates for preventive health care visits range from 43% to 74% among adolescents 10 to 17 years of age, and 26% to 58% among young adults 18 to 25 years of age.27 Overall, 67% of adolescent health care visits are for acute care, and 10% are for follow-up care.28

Continue to: Missed opportunities for the HPV vaccine

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