80052857 - Strategies to Improve HPV Vaccination Rates in College-Aged Students

Over the 1970s and 1980s, scientists discovered that human papillomavirus (HPV) was responsible for cervical cancer, anogenital cancer, and oropharyngeal cancers. Since squamous cervical carcinoma is entirely attributable to HPV infection, HPV prevention became the goal for development of a vaccine against HPV infection.

HPV remains the most common sexually transmitted infection in the US. Approximately 80 million people are infected with HPV. For perspective, roughly 80%-90% of sexually active people will be infected at some point in their life. The incidence of HPV is 14 million new infections annually, and 50% of these cases are in those 15-24 years old.

Despite the prevalence of HPV and associated cancers, and the existence of a safe and effective vaccine, uptake of the vaccine in the US has not been robust. During 2017-2018, 68.1% of adolescents had =1 dose of the HPV vaccine, and the percentage of adolescents up-to-date with the complete HPV vaccine series was 51.1%.  In 2017, 51.5% of adult females and 21.2% of adult males (19-26 years old) reported receipt of at least one dose of HPV vaccine.  This quality improvement initiative seeks to improve HPV vaccination rates in the Johns Hopkins student population.

1. Discuss the prevalence of HPV infection and the diseases associated with HPV.
2. State the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for HPV vaccination in persons aged 15-26.
3. Identify perceived barriers by both healthcare providers and patients to HPV vaccination.
4. Apply strategies to overcome perceived barriers to HPV vaccination.