Improving HPV vaccination rates in two rural Kentucky high schools

Despite the availability of a novel vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated disease, including cancer and genital warts, the uptake of this vaccine among adolescent males and females remains low in Kentucky. To address this problem, the Lake Cumberland District Health Department implemented a multi-component school-based HPV vaccination project in two high schools which included: provision of HPV vaccine information and parental consent forms delivered in back-to-school packets; school nurse-delivered student education; student incentives; small media promotion designed to change social norms; removal of vaccination barriers (e.g., scheduling/reminder systems, transportation, cost, parental presence); and the provision of HPV vaccine, regardless of the ability to pay. To date, 53% of students (509/953 total students between the two high schools) returned parental consent/declination forms. 10.8% (55/509) were up to date on the HPV series, of the remaining 454 students 75% (340) received parental approval to be vaccinated. 320 students received the first dose and 93% (299/320) are on track to complete the full vaccine series by the end of the 2013 school year. Findings suggest school-based vaccination clinics improve uptake and completion rates of the HPV vaccine, thereby impacting HPV-related health outcomes among our youth.