Protecting a new generation against HPV: Are we willing to be bold?

Abstract

Despite the advent of a novel human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent associated cancers, HPV vaccination rates in the United States (US) remain well below national goals. Two recent reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the President's Cancer Panel (PCP) have identified missed clinical opportunities as an intervention point for increasing HPV vaccination rates, including the provision of immunization in alternative venues by varying healthcare providers. In this paper, we specifically comment on the idea of offering HPV vaccination in emergency departments (ED) by emergency medicine (EM) physicians as posited by Hill and Okugo (2014), identifying both strengths and limitations to this strategy. We also offer ideas for additional research, suggest provider and healthcare systems changes, and discuss needed policy changes to improve HPV vaccination rates in the US.