Promoting Timely Adolescent HPV Vaccination

Case Study

Alisha is in your office for her 11-year Texas Health Steps preventive medical checkup. In preparation for the checkup, you review her immunization history and find that she is up to date and scheduled to receive the recommended 11-year vaccinations – MenACWY, Tdap and HPV, plus an annual flu shot. Your next steps may determine whether Alisha receives these recommended immunizations, including the vaccine that protects her from cancers caused by HPV.

Here are some considerations to keep in mind.

• HPV is the most common STI.

  By far, the human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, with more than 42 million people infected (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2021). HPV infections outnumber all other STIs combined. Nearly all sexually active people will get at least one type of HPV during their lifetime if they don’t receive the HPV vaccine.

• The HPV vaccine is highly effective, preventing more than 90 percent of cancers caused by the virus.

  Certain types of HPV can cause deadly cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar and throat cancers in women, and throat, anal and penile cancers in men. The HPV vaccine not only can prevent most cancers associated with HPV, but it can also prevent anal, vaginal, cervical and vulvar precancers.

  “That’s why HPV (two-dose) vaccines work best when given at age 11–12 years, before contact with the HPV virus” (CDC, 2021).

• HPV vaccination is most effective in youth who receive both doses before becoming sexually active.

  The CDC began recommending the HPV vaccine for adolescents in 2006. Studies show the vaccine is safe and offers long-lasting protection. Preteen girls and boys are in special need of the HPV vaccine. Receiving the vaccine before the onset of sexual activity with another person is vital because HPV can spread through anal, vaginal or oral sex, and even through other skin-to-skin contact during genital-to-genital or oral-to-genital intimacy.

How you approach immunizing Alisha – including administering the HPV vaccine – may have long-term consequences. Check out our related courses to learn more about HPV vaccination and how you can promote timely administration of immunizations as part of Texas Health Steps preventive medical checkups.