Routine Vaccination Coverage in an Adolescent Transgender Population in a Large Tertiary Care Center in the United States

J Pediatr Health Care. 2024 Jul-Aug;38(4):480-485. doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2023.11.014. Epub 2024 Jan 20.

Abstract

Introduction: To address healthcare disparities among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents, we examined vaccination coverage in those receiving gender-affirming care.

Method: Our study analyzed de-identified data (2013-2022) from a tertiary care clinic. Comparing vaccination rates of 203 TGD adolescent patients to age-matched peers in New York State using CDC National Immunization Survey-Teen data.

Results: We found TGD patients had similar vaccination coverage to the general adolescent population. Notably, TGD patients had significantly higher up-to-date human papillomavirus vaccination coverage (76.4%, CI=69.9, 82.0) than the NYS adolescent population (60.5%, CI=53.0, 67.5).

Discussion: This suggests TGD adolescents at gender-affirming clinics maintain or exceed vaccination rates of their cisgender counterparts. Future research should explore vaccination rates for TGD individuals without access to gender-affirming care.

Keywords: Transgender and gender diverse community; adolescent; gender-affirming care; immunization registry; vaccination coverage.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Female
  • Healthcare Disparities / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • New York / epidemiology
  • Papillomavirus Vaccines / administration & dosage
  • Tertiary Care Centers*
  • Transgender Persons* / statistics & numerical data
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data
  • Vaccination Coverage* / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Papillomavirus Vaccines