SFDPH Vax Facts: HPV Vaccine Recommendation November 10, 2016 CDC, Public Health, SF Dept of Public Health CDC, HPV, SFDPH, Vaccination 0 CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted on 10/19/2016 to recommend that males and females can be routinely vaccinated at ages 11-12 with 2 doses of Gardasil-9 human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, with the 2nd dose administered 6-12 months after the first dose, rather than the previously recommended 3 doses. Clinical trial data show that 2 doses of HPV vaccine given at ages 9-14 years produces an immune response that is similar to or higher than the response with 3 doses at ages 15-26 years, and provides long term protection. In 2015, nationally and in California, coverage rates for three doses of HPV vaccine were significantly lower than for one or two doses. This recommendation makes it easier for parents to protect their children against cancers caused by HPV infections by reducing the number of shots and trips to the doctor. Key Points: Routine HPV vaccination is recommended at age 11-12 years, but may be given starting at age 9 years A 2-dose HPV schedule (0, 6-12 months) is recommended when starting the HPV series at age 9 through 14 years The minimum interval for the 2-dose schedule is 5 months. Patients aged 9 through 14 years who have already received 2 doses of HPV vaccine less than 5 months apart will require a 3rd dose. The 3-dose HPV vaccine schedule is still recommended for persons starting the series at ages 15-26 years, and for those who are immunocompromised, regardless of age As with all other series vaccines, there is no maximum interval between HPV vaccine doses. For example, the 1st dose does not have to be repeated if it was given more than 12 months before the 2nd dose. These recommendations have been approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director and will be published in the MMWR in the coming months, while in the meantime the CDC and the California Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program are updating their resources to reflect the new recommendation. The 2-valent HPV vaccine Cervarix has been removed from the US market by its manufacturer due to low demand, and the 4-valent Gardasil has been phased out, leaving the 9-valent Gardasil-9 as the sole available product for HPV immunization of males and females in the USA. Providers who do not stock HPV vaccine may refer older adolescents and adults to AITC Immunization & Travel Clinic at the San Francisco Department of Public Health (www.TravelClinicSF.org; 415-554-2625) to receive Gardasil-9 at AITC’s regular price. Uninsured patients meeting the manufacturer’s criteria for low income may be eligible to receive free Gardasil-9, for the cost of an administration fee only. Read the Full Vax Facts Comments are closed.
