Recommend HPV Vaccine at Every Visit! 

The HPV vaccine is approved for ages 9 years through 45 years for all genders. The American Cancer Society and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend vaccination at age 9. 

Early vaccination at age 9-10 years has several benefits, including more robust immune response and increased likelihood of completing the series.

March 4 is International HPV Awareness Day!

To help increase HPV vaccination rates back to pre-pandemic levels:

• Recommend HPV vaccine at every visit for 9-26-year-olds who have not begun or completed their series. Data shows that your recommendation may improve vaccination rates by 5 times. 
• For adults aged 26 years through 45 years, engage in shared decision making to help determine the benefits of vaccination.  
• Vaccination recommendations should be made in all healthcare settings, including acute, non-acute, GYN, dental, and pharmacy locations. 

Steps to Recommend HPV Vaccine to Hesitant Parents

Use a Presumptive Announcement Approach: 

• Your child is __ years old.
• Today, they are eligible to receive Tdap, HPV, and MCV vaccine.
• We will make sure they get all these shots to keep them safe and healthy.

If parent hesitates:

Connect and Counsel:

• What’s your main concern?
• Counsel using a research-tested method (ex.”Over 30,000 Americans get cancer from HPV every year. Most could be prevented with the HPV vaccine.”)

If parent declines:

Try Again: 

• Almost 70% of parents who initially declined later agree to HPV vaccine or plan to vaccinate soon.

Clinical Guides

Physician assistants & nurse practitioners: Action Guide

Nurses & medical assistants: Action Guide

Print Resources

PDPH postcards and posters promoting pediatric and HPV vaccine.

Online Resources

New research reinforcing starting HPV vaccination at age 9.

If you have any questions, reach out to our team at vaccines@phila.gov.