Human papillomavirus vaccination in commercially-insured vaccine-eligible males and females, United States, 2007-2014

Background: In the United States, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended routine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination at age 11-12 years since 2006 for girls and since 2011 for boys. ACIP also recommends vaccination through age 26 for females and through age 21 for males; males may be vaccinated through age 26. We describe vaccine uptake in adolescents and young adults using data from MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters.

Methods: We analyzed data on persons aged 11-26 years on December 31, 2014 who were continuously enrolled in a MarketScan health plan from age 11 through year 2014, or from 2006 to 2014 if aged ≥11 years in 2006 (916,513 females, 951,082 males). Individuals were grouped based on their age (years) in 2014: 11-12 (born 2002-03), 13-14 (2000-01), 15-16 (1998-99), 17-18 (1996-97), 19-21 (1993-95), and 22-26 (1988-1992). We calculated cumulative coverage with ≥1 HPV vaccine dose by sex, birth cohort, and calendar year.

Results: In females, the proportion initiating vaccination at age 11-12 years was low in 2008 and 2010 (12.6% and 11.1%) and higher in 2012 (15.7%) and 2014 (19.5%); in males, initiation at age 11-12 was 0.9% in 2010, 8.3% in 2012, and 15.1% in 2014. In females who aged into vaccine eligibility, cumulative coverage by 2014 was higher in older cohorts (17-18: 53%; 15-16: 47%; 13-14: 39%; 11-12: 19.5%). For males, cumulative coverage by 2014 was similar in those aged 13-14, 15-16, and 17-18 years (28.9%, 32.5%, 30.3%), and lower in those aged 11-12 (15.1%), 19-21 (18.4%), and 22-26 years (4.5%).

Conclusion: The proportion of males and females initiating vaccination at the recommended ages was low. Although more females than males were vaccinated in all cohorts, the male-female differences were smaller in younger than older cohorts. The trajectory of male vaccination uptake could signal higher acceptability in males.