Multicomponent Strategy Improves Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates Among Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease

To evaluate the effectiveness of a vaccine strategy bundle to increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine initiation and completion in a specialty clinic setting.

Our Hematology clinic utilized an implementation framework from October 1, 2018, to December 31, 2019, involving nurses, nursing coordinators, and clinicians in administering the HPV vaccination series to our adolescent sickle cell sample of nearly 500 patients. The bundle included education for staff on the need for HPV vaccine administration, provider incentives, vaccines offered to patients in SCD clinics, and verification of patients' charts of vaccine completion.

Following the implementation of the bundle, the cumulative incidence of HPV vaccination initiation and completion improved from 28% to 46% and 7% to 49%, respectively. Both rates remained higher postimplementation as well. HPV vaccination series completion was associated with a decreased distance to the health care facility, lower state deprivation rank, and increased hospitalizations.

Our clinic's implementation strategy successfully improved vaccine completion rates among adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) while continuing to educate staff, patients, and families on the importance of cancer prevention among people living with SCD.