Pediatric Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates Within a Tertiary Military Medical Center.

Abstract

Objective: To determine our center's human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rate and identify common negative perceptions surrounding the vaccine to guide more effective HPV vaccine counseling.

Methods: We reviewed immunization records for patients ages 11 to 26 that receive care at Brooke Army Medical Center. Vaccine uptake rate was determined by dividing the number of patients who had completed the HPV vaccine series by the total target population. From October 2021 to December 2022, a clinic survey was distributed to parents (for patients ages 11-17) or patients themselves (ages 18-26) during otolaryngology visits to poll vaccination status and attitudes toward the vaccine.

Results: A total of 3038 patients ages 11 to 26 are enrolled for primary care at Brooke Army Medical Center, but only 962 (32%) are vaccine complete. Thirty-five surveys were collected during the study period. Twenty-two surveys (63%) from patients/parents reported they/their child had received the HPV vaccine. Concerns about vaccine safety, sexual behaviors, lack of immunization requirement for school, and difficulty getting scheduled were the most common reasons patients were unvaccinated.

Discussion: Counseling patients on the HPV vaccine can be difficult given the common misconceptions surrounding vaccination, but understanding these attitudes will allow otolaryngologists to educate patients more effectively. This matters since patients more knowledgeable about HPV are more likely to receive the vaccine.

Implications for practice: Our clinic has developed new strategies in partnership with primary care departments to facilitate more streamlined vaccination for eligible patients, and moving forward we plan to trend HPV vaccination rates over time to determine our impact on uptake.