Increasing Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in a Federally Qualified Health Center Organization Using a Systems-Based...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Vaccinology
• Health Systems Research

Background:

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake remains suboptimal, falling short of public health targets.
• Low acceptance and vaccination rates necessitate effective implementation strategies for adolescent vaccines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of a systems-based intervention in increasing HPV vaccination rates.
• To evaluate the capacity of pediatric clinics within a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) to implement the intervention.

Main Methods:

• A 16-month intervention in nine pediatric clinics targeting staff and providers.
• Utilized Electronic Health Records (EHRs) for automated prompts and a statewide immunization information system.
• Included patient reminders and monthly provider performance assessments.

Main Results:

• 80.5% of patients received the first HPV vaccine dose; 47% received the second dose.
• First-dose vaccination rates for 11-year-olds were 55.5% for girls and 54.3% for boys.
• Age significantly correlated with first-dose completion; males showed no significant difference compared to females.

Conclusions:

• The systems-based intervention successfully increased HPV vaccination initiation and completion rates.
• The study demonstrated the feasibility of implementing such interventions within FQHC settings.
• Targeted strategies can improve adolescent immunization coverage for HPV vaccine.