HPV vaccination coverage among adolescents aged 9 to 17 years in a United States military treatment facility

Abstract

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is expected to infect 80% of the United States female population. The vaccine Gardasil protects against four types of HPV. Routine administration of Gardasil began at Womack Army Medical Center (WAMC) in November 2006. This research looks at vaccine compliance among girls aged 9 to 17 years. Medical records of all females aged 9 to 17 enrolled at WAMC (n = 6,154) were examined using the Composite Health Care System (CHCS) database. Patients identified with CPT code 90649, HPV vaccine were included. Of girls enrolled at WAMC, 22.9% (n = 1,406) began the vaccine series. Among girls aged 9 to 17 years age, only 25.7% completed the entire 3 injection series; 34.6% received 2 injections, and 39.7% received 1 dose (P = .006). WAMC falls slightly below the national norm in administering the Gardasil vaccination series. Because at least six months is required to complete the series, however, some patients who received the first dose might not have had sufficient time to complete the series during the data collection period. Findings show that 77% of girls aged 12 to 17 years have not yet been vaccinated.