Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Information for Clinicians
HPV vaccination coverage lags behind coverage for the other vaccines recommended for preteens. High rates of Tdap and meningitis vaccination demonstrate that preteens are seeing clinicians and getting vaccinated, but they do not always receive HPV vaccine.
- CDC recommends HPV vaccination for girls and boys at ages 11 or 12 years to protect against cancers caused by HPV infections. (Vaccination can be started at age 9.)
- CDC encourages clinicians to recommend HPV vaccination in the same way and on the same day that they recommend other routinely recommended vaccines for patients at age 11 or 12 years.
- CDC suggests effectively recommending HPV vaccination by bundling the recommendation for all vaccines for preteens, with HPV vaccine in the middle.
ACIP recommendations; general precautions and contraindications; pregnancy precautions; safety of HPV vaccine
HPV vaccine composition; immunogenicity and efficacy
Storage and handling best practices for HPV vaccine.
Dosage and schedule, preparation, and administration of HPV vaccine; and administration with other vaccines
HPV vaccines are very safe and work extremely well. Scientific research shows the benefits of HPV vaccination far outweigh the potential risks.
As with all vaccines recommended by the ACIP, HPV vaccines are covered by insurance.
Vaccine package inserts; additional materials for patients and healthcare professionals
You Call the Shots is an interactive, web-based immunization training course. It consists of a series of modules that discuss vaccine-preventable diseases and explain the latest recommendations for vaccine use. Each module provides learning opportunities, self-test practice questions, reference and resource materials, and an extensive glossary.
The “Pink Book” contains the most comprehensive information on routinely used vaccines and the diseases they prevent.
Six reference appendices include: vaccine minimum ages and intervals, current and discontinued vaccines, vaccine contents, foreign vaccine terms, and more.