United in their commitment to eliminate human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancer, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) and the Foundation for Women’s Cancer (FWC) recently endorsed a series of vaccine recommendations. HPV vaccines are among the most effective vaccines available worldwide, with unequivocal data demonstrating greater than 99% efficacy for some populations. High rates of HPV vaccination will reduce the burden of HPV-related disease in the United States.1
The risk of developing HPV-related cancers declines significantly with HPV vaccination, but current HPV vaccination rates are unacceptably low. In 2019, only 54.2% of adolescents aged 13 to 17 years had completed the HPV vaccination series.1 Recommendations from health-care professionals are important to the acceptance of HPV vaccination by patients and their parents or guardians.
Vaccine Recommendations
The SGO and FWC stated that health-care professionals should strongly advise HPV vaccination to eligible patients, stressing its benefits and safety. Specifically, the organizations announced their support for the following recommendations, as outlined by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:
- Educate parents and guardians in their decision-making regarding vaccinations for their children
- Recommend HPV vaccination for children at 11 to 12 years of age (and as early as 9 years of age) as part of adolescent immunizations
- Assess and vaccinate children and young adults with the HPV vaccine during the catch-up period (ages 13 to 26 years), regardless of sexual activity, prior exposure to HPV, or sexual orientation, if they were not vaccinated at 11 to 12 years of age
- Use patient-centered, shared clinical decision-making regarding the HPV vaccination in some adults aged 27 to 45 who are previously unvaccinated, considering their risk for acquisition of a new HPV infection and whether the HPV vaccine may provide benefit.
REFERENCE
1. Elam-Evans LD, Yankey D, Singleton JA, et al: National, regional, state, and selected local area vaccination coverage among adolescents aged 13–17 years–United States, 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 69:1109-1116, 2020.
