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
. 2023 Aug 1;19(2):2251815.
doi: 10.1080/21645515.2023.2251815.

Multilevel perspectives on school-based opportunities to improve HPV vaccination among medically underserved adolescents: Beyond school entry mandates

Michelle B Shin  1 , Kylie Sloan  2 , Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati  2   3 , Emily Dang  2 , Samantha Garcia  2 , Lawrence A Palinkas  4 , Jennifer B Unger  2   3 , Mayumi Willgerodt  1 , Benjamin F Crabtree  5 , Jennifer Tsui  2   3
Affiliations

Multilevel perspectives on school-based opportunities to improve HPV vaccination among medically underserved adolescents: Beyond school entry mandates

Michelle B Shin et al. Hum Vaccin Immunother. .

Abstract

School-based HPV vaccination programs have improved vaccine uptake among adolescents globally. However, school-based HPV vaccination strategies in the United States (US) have mainly focused on school-entry mandates for vaccination, which have passed in only five states/jurisdictions. Many schools and school-based health centers (SBHCs) already provide health services to medically underserved adolescents and opportunities to improve disparities in HPV vaccine education and uptake are underexplored. This qualitative study of clinic and community members assessed potential opportunities within and outside schools to increase HPV vaccination. Data were generated from a larger mixed-methods study designed to understand experiences with HPV vaccination evidence-based strategies in medically underserved communities. The parent study included interviews and focus groups conducted with clinic (providers, clinic leaders, staff) and community (racial/ethnic minority parents, advocates, payers, policy representatives) members in Los Angeles and New Jersey between December 2020-January 2022. We created a reduced dataset of text related to schools/SBHCs (30 in-depth interviews, 7 focus groups) and conducted a directed content analysis. Participants indicated that schools and SBHCs are ideal venues for reaching medically underserved adolescents experiencing barriers to primary care access. Parents/providers expressed mutual interest in HPV vaccine administration/education in schools, but some advocates/policy participants experienced challenges due to increasing politicization of vaccines. Participants highlighted policies for expanding HPV vaccine education and administration in schools, including minor consent and increasing SBHC funding for HPV vaccines. More research is needed to explore existing infrastructure, partner motivation, and opportunities to improve HPV vaccination among medically underserved adolescents within schools beyond vaccine mandates.

Keywords: HPV vaccination; school-based strategies; underserved adolescents; vaccine policy.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Conceptual model adapted from the updated Consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR 2.0).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Markowitz LE, Dunne EF, Saraiya M, Chesson HW, Curtis CR, Gee J, Bocchini JA, Unger ER.. Human papillomavirus vaccination: recommendations of the advisory committee on immunization practices (ACIP). MMWR Recomm Rep. 2014;63(Rr–05):1–9. - PubMed
    1. Bruni L, Saura-Lázaro A, Montoliu A, Brotons M, Alemany L, Diallo MS, Afsar OZ, LaMontagne DS, Mosina L, Contreras M, et al. HPV vaccination introduction worldwide and WHO and UNICEF estimates of national HPV immunization coverage 2010–2019. Prev Med. 2021;144:106399. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106399. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Pingali C, Yankey D, Elam-Evans LD, Markowitz LE, Valier MR, Fredua B, Crowe SJ, Stokley S, Singleton JA. National vaccination coverage among adolescents aged 13–17 Years — National immunization survey-Teen, United States, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022;71(35):1101–8. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7135a1. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Spencer JC, Calo WA, Brewer NT. Disparities and reverse disparities in HPV vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Prev Med. 2019;123:197–203. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.03.037. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Pingali C, Yankey D, Elam-Evans LD, Markowitz LE, Valier MR, Fredua B, Crowe SJ, Stokley S, Singleton JA, Centers for Disease C, Prevention . National vaccination coverage among adolescents aged 13–17 Years — National immunization survey-Teen, United States, 2021. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2022;71(35):1101–8. doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7135a1. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

Substances

LinkOut - more resources