HPV Vaccine in Adolescents

Human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted viral infection worldwide, is the causative agent for cervical cancer and attributed to anogenital cancers as well as oropharyngeal cancer. Three effective, safe, prophylactic HPV vaccines have been licensed, and studies have demonstrated decreases in HPV prevalence and HPV-related disease endpoints without evidence of waning protection to date. In the United States, only the 9-valent vaccine, which covers 90% of the cancers attributed to HPV in US registries, is available. Because higher titers are found at younger ages, two rather than three doses are needed if the first dose is given prior to age 15 years. HPV vaccination rates in the US lag compared to tetanus-diptheria-acellular pertussis and meningococcal conjugate vaccines. Current efforts are aimed at improving vaccination rates through delivering strong and consistent clinician recommendations at the same time as discussing other adolescent vaccines and preventing missed opportunities for vaccination. [Pediatr Ann. 2019;48(2):e71-e77.].