HPV Vaccination adoption rates could be improved with consistent physician recommendation

A recent study in the Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention journal, finds that the quality of physicians’ recommendation for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination may be critical to increasing appropriate use.

Researchers conducted an online survey of pediatricians and family physicians to assess the quality of their HPV vaccine recommendations.  Assessments were based on strength of endorsement (i.e., saying the vaccine is important), timeliness (i.e., recommending it by ages 11-12), consistency (i.e., recommending it routinely versus using a risk-based approach), and urgency (i.e.,  recommending same-day vaccination). 

A sizeable minority of physicians reported that they do not strongly endorse HPV vaccine (27%) or deliver timely recommendations for girls (26%) or boys (39%), contrary to national guidelines.  Many physicians (59%) used a risk-based approach to recommending HPV vaccine, and only half (51%) usually recommended same-day vaccination. 

“Many physicians reported recommending HPV vaccine inconsistently, behind schedule, or without urgency,” said Melissa B. Gilkey, lead author and Assistant Professor of Population Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute.  “HPV vaccine is a powerful tool for cancer prevention, but we’re currently missing many opportunities to deliver the vaccine. This study’s findings can be used to inform the many state and national initiatives that aim to raise HPV vaccination coverage by improving physician communication.”