HPV vaccination among a nationally representative sample of adolescent males

BACKGROUND: US guidelines began recommending HPV vaccine for males in 2009, but data on vaccine uptake remain sparse. We analyzed data from a nationally representative sample of adolescent males to provide further insight into HPV vaccination coverage and correlates of vaccine uptake. METHODS: We analyzed 2010-2011 data from the National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen) for adolescent males ages 13-17 (n=22,365). We examined HPV vaccine initiation (receipt of at least one dose based on healthcare provider records) among adolescent males with healthcare provider-verified vaccination records. Analyses used weighted logistic regression. RESULTS: HPV vaccine initiation increased from 1.4% in 2010 to 8.3% in 2011. Parents who reported receiving a healthcare provider recommendation to get their sons HPV vaccine were much more likely to have vaccinated sons (OR=17.61, 95% CI: 13.31–23.30). Initiation was also higher among sons who were Hispanic (OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.27–2.78) or whose health insurance was not provided through their parents' employers or unions (OR=1.63 95% CI: 1.09–2.43). Only 31.0% of parents with unvaccinated sons indicated intent to vaccinate their sons in the next year. The most common reasons for not intending to vaccinate were believing vaccination is not necessary (24.5%), not having received a provider recommendation (22.1%), and a lack of knowledge (15.9%). CONCLUSIONS: HPV vaccination is low among adolescent males in the US, and parents' intent to vaccinate suggests future increases in vaccine uptake may be modest. Efforts to increase provider recommendation for vaccination and parents' knowledge about HPV vaccine for males are needed to improve these outcomes.