Provider Recommendation as a Driver of HPV Vaccination in Male Teens

Uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has lagged behind that of other immunizations. To explore HPV vaccination coverage among male adolescents, researchers analyzed data from 9712 male teens (age range, 13–17) whose parents participated in the 2011–2016 National Immunization Survey–Teen.

In all, 65.5% of teens received a provider recommendation for the HPV vaccine. From 2011 through 2016, HPV vaccination coverage increased approximately sevenfold, and vaccine coverage accompanied by a provider recommendation almost doubled. Coverage was higher among patients with provider recommendations than among those without. Having clinician contacts during the previous 12 months and a well-adolescent visit at age 11–12 years were independen…