Nebraska health organization hopes to increase HPV vaccination completion rate

Nebraska has one of the highest rates of residents receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, but the state falls in the rankings when it comes to completing the series. A campaign has started in the panhandle to try to change that.

The Panhandle Public Health District, which serves 12 Nebraska counties, has launched an HPV vaccine campaign to encourage families that children should start the series at age 9, and to finish it.

“Getting people back for the third one was really sometimes hard for people to remember and to make it a priority," said Deputy Director of Clinical Services Paulette Schnell.

The HPV vaccination series consists of two vaccines if children start before the age of 14, or a series of three if they start older. They can be administered to individuals through to the age of 26.

“Getting that and the providers thinking about that, and then parents asking for it at a younger age, then completing it before the age 14 really will help, I think, our completion rates," Schnell said.

The campaign, "Why Age 9," is in English and Spanish. Schnell said that decision was made after determining Spanish was also a main language spoken in the region.

"Why Age 9" shares the importance of the vaccine in reducing cancer rates. The HPV vaccination can prevent transmission of the sexually transmitted infection and protects against six cancers, according to the public health district. It has been shown to have a 65% decrease in cervical cancer.

According to a 2022 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based on 2020 statistics, Nebraska has an 81.1-93% estimated coverage rate of having at least one HPV shot. When it comes to estimated completion of the HPV vaccine series, Nebraska drops to an estimated 61.4-68.1%.

Nationally, the series completion rate stands at 58.6%, while 75.1% received at least the first vaccination.

As the campaign continues, Schnell said her team is developing strategies to reach members of the community where they are.

"Just really trying to reach the different populations that we have and make it relatable to them in a way of the things that they do in their daily lives is one of those things that we're doing," she said.

They plan to develop further messaging meant for ranchers and farmers as their next step.