While the CDC recommends all children 11 or 12 years old receive two shots of HPV vaccine six to twelve months apart, just 29 percent of adolescent Blue Cross Blue Shield members were vaccinated for HPV from 2010 through 2016, according to a report published by the insurer Tuesday.
For the report, BCBS researchers analyzed medical claims on adolescent members compiled from 2010 through 2016. While the rate of first-dose HPV vaccination among adolescents increased from 22 percent to 34 percent over this time period, adherence still lagged well behind the 72 percent vaccination rate for meningococcal and the 82 percent rate for Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis).
To assess the reasons behind low HPV vaccination rates, BCBS conducted an online survey of 739 parents with kids ages 10 to 13 years who were not vaccinated for HPV. Fifty-two percent of respondents said they did not intend to have their child vaccinated for HPV in the future.
The top three reasons parents opted not to vaccinate were concerns about vaccine side effects (60 percent), a belief that their child is not at risk of HPV (24 percent) and not having enough information about the vaccine (12 percent).
"Just as it's important for women to undergo a Pap smear for early detection of HPV infections, it is even more vital to prevent HPV infections before they happen," said Trent Haywood, MD, senior vice president and CMO for Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. "All adolescents should take advantage of this affordable medical innovation that prevents cancer and has minimal side effects."
HPV causes more than 30,000 cancer cases in men and women every year, according to the CDC.
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