Age at HPV vaccine initiation and completion among US adolescent girls: Trend from 2008 to 2012

ObjectiveTo examine the trend of provider-verified HPV vaccine initiation (≥1 dose) and completion (≥3 doses) among adolescent girls at the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended age (11–12 years).MethodsWe analyzed National Immunization Survey of Teens 2008–2012 data and examined the trend of provider-verified HPV vaccine initiation and completion among <13 year old girls.ResultsData on age at HPV vaccine initiation and completion were available for 24,466 and 15,972 girls, respectively. The weighted proportion of girls who initiated the vaccine at <13 years of age was 14.1%, 24.1%, 35.9%, 47.7% and 55.9% in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012, respectively (p for trend <.001). The similar trend was also observed for mean age at HPV vaccine initiation and completion (p < .001).ConclusionsAdditional efforts are needed to increase HPV vaccine uptake among adolescent girls as only half of them receive this vaccine at ACIP recommended age.