| The American
Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists (ACOG), American College of Physicians (ACP), the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the
Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) all recommend that you
vaccinate your patients against human papillomavirus (HPV) on time
and according to the U.S. immunization schedule. |
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| HPV vaccine
is cancer prevention, yet HPV vaccine is underutilized in our
country despite the overwhelming evidence of its safety and
effectiveness. While vaccination rates continue to improve for the
other adolescent vaccines, HPV vaccination rates have not. Missed
opportunities data suggest that providers are not giving strong
recommendations for HPV vaccine when patients are 11 or 12 years
old. The healthcare provider recommendation is the single best
predictor of vaccination. Recent studies show that a patient who
receives a provider recommendation is four to five times more
likely to receive the HPV vaccine. |
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Recommendations for the use of HPV Vaccines |
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| Three HPV
vaccines (2-valent [HPV2], 4-valent [HPV4], and 9-valent [HPV9])
are available to protect against HPV 16 and 18, the types that
cause most cervical and other anogenital cancers, as well as some
oropharyngeal cancers. HPV4 and HPV9 protect against additional
HPV strains, including most anogenital warts. |
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For 11- to 12-year-olds |
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| The Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends the
following: |
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Routine vaccination of girls at age 11 or 12 years with the
three-dose series of any of the three HPV vaccines (HPV2,
HPV4, HPV9). |
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Routine vaccination of boys age 11 or 12 years with the
three-dose series of HPV4 or HPV9. |
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| According to
ACIP, HPV vaccination for boys and girls may begin as early as 9
years of age. |
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For those 13 years old and older (who have not completed the
three-dose series) |
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For females, completion of a three-dose series using HPV2,
HPV4or HPV9, is recommended through age 26 years. |
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For males, a three-dose series using HPV4 or HPV9 is routinely
recommended through age 21 years, but it can be administered
through age 26 if desired. Vaccination is also recommended
through age 26 for men who have sex with men and for
immunocompromised persons (including those with HIV
infection). |
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| Your
recommendation is the number one reason why someone will get the
HPV vaccine and be protected from HPV-associated cancers and
disease. |
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| This article
was adapted from a “Dear Colleague” letter from AAFP, AAP, ACOG,
ACP, CDC and IAC,
issued on Feb. 12, 2014. |
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HPV resources |
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CDC Information for Healthcare Professionals |
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IAC Information to Give to Patients |
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IAC Information to Assist Healthcare Professionals |
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From The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Vaccine Education
Center |
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Free Continuing Education Opportunities |
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CDC and the National Area Health Education Center Organization
have developed an online self-study program on HPV vaccination
for healthcare professionals. Watching You Are the Key to
HPV Cancer Prevention: Understanding the Burden of HPV
Disease, the Importance of the HPV Vaccine Recommendation,
and Communicating about HPV Vaccination can provide
physicians, nurses and pharmacists with free continuing
education credit. To access this course, go to
http://nationalahec.org and click on the "FREE CE
OPPORTUNITY" button on the home page. |
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Watch the film Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic —
Indiana University School of Medicine designates this enduring
material for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. |
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ACIP Recommendations
Vaccine Information Statements 
