Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Jan-Feb;34(1):162-170.
doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2021.01.200408.

US Primary Care Physicians' Viewpoints on HPV Vaccination for Adults 27 to 45 Years

Laura P Hurley  1 , Sean T O'Leary  2 , Lauri E Markowitz  2 , Lori A Crane  2 , Jessica R Cataldi  2 , Michaela Brtnikova  2 , Brenda L Beaty  2 , Carol Gorman  2 , Elissa Meites  2 , Megan C Lindley  2 , Allison Kempe  2
Affiliations

US Primary Care Physicians' Viewpoints on HPV Vaccination for Adults 27 to 45 Years

Laura P Hurley et al. J Am Board Fam Med. 2021 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: In June 2019, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended shared clinical decision making (SCDM) regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for adults 27 to 45 years. Our objectives were to assess among primary care physicians 1) recent practice regarding HPV vaccination for adults 27 to 45 years, 2) knowledge of HPV and the new SCDM recommendation, and 3) attitudes toward and anticipated effect of the new SCDM recommendation.

Methods: From October to December 2019, we administered an Internet and mail survey to national networks of 494 general internist (GIM) and 474 family physician (FP) members of the American College of Physicians and American Academy of Family Physicians, respectively.

Results: Response rate was 64% (617/968; GIM, 57%; FP, 71%). Fifty-eight percent were aware of the new ACIP recommendation; 42% had recommended HPV vaccination to adults 27 to 45 years, but most had administered HPV vaccine to very few of these patients (73% to 0% and 22% to 1 to 3). Fifty-five percent and 63% were unaware that HPV vaccination does not prevent progression of existing HPV-related cancers or infections, respectively and 57% were not sure what to emphasize when having a SCDM conversation about HPV vaccination. A majority reported they will be more likely recommend HPV vaccination to adults in the 27-to-45-year age range as a result of the new recommendation.

Conclusions: Physicians are interested in recommending HPV vaccination for adults age 27 to 45 years despite ACIP not routinely recommending it in this age range. The majority need more education about the optimal use of HPV vaccine in this age group.

Keywords: Cancer; Family Physicians; Immunization; Papillomavirus Infections; Papillomavirus Vaccines; Primary Health Care; Surveys and Questionnaires.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Anticipated changes in physician practice following ACIP recommendation for Shared Clinical Decision-making regarding HPV Vaccination of adults 27–45 years, United States, 2019–2020 (n=534)* * Some percentages do not add up to 100% due to rounding †More physicians who had not recommended than who had recommended HPV vaccination to adults in this group would be more likely to recommend it now, p=0.001 −45
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Satterwhite CL, Torrone E, Meites E, et al. Sexually transmitted infections among US women and men: prevalence and incidence estimates, 2008. Sexually transmitted diseases. 2013;40(3):187–193. - PubMed
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. HPV Diseases and Cancers. 2019; https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/parents/cancer.html. Accessed April, 15, 2020.
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Human Papillomavirus–Attributable Cancers — United States, 2012–2016. 2019; https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6833a3.htm. Accessed May, 5, 2020.
    1. Senkomago V, Henley SJ, Thomas CC, Mix JM, Markowitz LE, Saraiya M. Human Papillomavirus-Attributable Cancers - United States, 2012–2016. MMWR Morbidity and mortality weekly report. 2019;68(33):724–728. - PMC - PubMed
    1. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Committee Opinion No. 641: Human Papillomavirus Vaccination. Obstetrics and gynecology. 2015;126(3):e38–43. - PubMed

Publication types

Substances