HPV Vacccination Rates Increasing, Even for Boys

More teens are getting HPV vaccines than ever before, health researchers reported.

And, boys are finally catching up to girls.

“I'm pleased with the progress, but too many teens are still not receiving the HPV vaccine – which leaves them vulnerable to cancers caused by HPV infection,” said Brenda Fitzgerald, M.D., in a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC). “We need to do more to increase the vaccination rate and protect American youth today from future cancers tomorrow.”

Roughly 31,500 people each year are diagnosed with cancer related to HPV, and vaccination could prevent about 90% of those, according to the CDC.

The CDC recommends HPV vaccine as part of routine immunization for males and females at age 11 or 12 years, although it can be started as early as 9 years.

During 2016, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices approved a two-dose schedule for adolescents under age 15 instead of the traditional three-dose schedule. Teens starting at age 15 or later still need three doses.

“Recent changes to the vaccine recommendations mean preventing cancer is easier now than ever before,” said Nancy Messonnier, M.D., director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

“Now is the time for parents to protect their children from cancers caused by HPV.”

The CDC survey found 60.4% of teens had received at least one dose of HPV vaccine, up from 56.1% in 2015.

Using the new two-dose benchmark, 43.4% of teens were up to date with HPV vaccination — 49.5% of females and 37.5% of males.

Still, far fewer teens are receiving HPV vaccine compared with other vaccines such as tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) and meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) at age 11 or 12 years.

The CDC recommends administering HPV vaccine at the same time as Tdap and MenACWY.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved these HPV vaccines:

• Merck's Gardasil
• Merck’s Gardasil 9

The CDC Vaccine Price List provides current vaccine contract prices and list the private sector vaccine prices for general information.