Prevalence of the four human papilloma virus (HPV) types susceptible to the vaccine have fallen by more than half in the past four years, despite less than a third of teen girls receiving the complete series of three doses, a study found
HPV vaccination using the quadrivalent vaccine (HPV-6, -11, -16, and -18) was introduced into the routine immunization schedule in the United States in late 2006 for girls ages 11 or 12 years, with catch-up vaccination recommended for ages 13 to 26. A 2010 national survey found that 49% of teenage girls ages 13 to 17 had received at least one dose and that 32% had received three doses
A study reported results in The Journal of Infectious Diseases.
Among girls ages 14 to 19, prevalence of the four HPV types covered by the vaccine decreased from 11.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.2 to 14.4) in 2003-2006 to 5.1% (95% CI, 3.8 to 6.6) in 2007-2010, a decline of 56% (95% CI, 38% to 69%).
Among groups outside the recommended ages, prevalence did not differ significantly between the two time periods (P greater than .05). The vaccine effectiveness of at least one dose was 82% (95% CI, 53% to 93%).
Researchers wrote, "This decline is encouraging, given the substantial health and economic burden of HPV-associated disease."
Blog | Monday, June 24, 2013
