Improving HPV Vaccination in Pediatric Primary Care: Utilizing Communication Modalities

Abstract

Despite vaccine efficacy and demonstrated protection, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine hesitancy persists. This quality improvement project aimed to improve HPV vaccination rates among 11- to 19-year-olds at a pediatric primary care clinic (n = 89). Providers used motivational interviewing, presumptive approach, and a customized educational handout to guide HPV vaccine recommendations. HPV vaccination increased from 55% pre-intervention to 76.4% post-intervention. Refusal rates were twice as high for patients over 12 years old compared with 11-year-olds (27% vs 13%). First-time vaccine recommendations via shared decision-making and purposive communication approaches resulted in half as many same-day vaccination refusals. Improving HPV vaccination rates can be accomplished with low-cost, easy-to-implement approaches.