Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates in teens are falling behind rates for two other important vaccines in the United States, federal researchers say.
HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer in females, but HPV vaccination dramatically reduces the risk of infection. HPV vaccines are given in three doses over six months.
All three shots must be received to ensure the highest level of protection, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC recommends HPV vaccine for 11- or 12-year-old girls to protect them against the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer.
They also recommend teenage girls who have not yet been vaccinated with HPV vaccine complete the vaccination series.
But an analysis of data from the 2010 National Immunization Survey-Teen found that coverage rates for the Tdap vaccine and MenACWY vaccine were increasing comparatively faster.
The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, or whooping cough, while the MenACWY vaccine protects against meningococcal meningitis.
The national teen survey, which included more than 19,000 participants aged 13 to 17, revealed that coverage in 2010 was 69 percent for Tdap.
2010 coverage for MenACWY was at 63 percent, one dose of HPV vaccine sat at 49 percent, and there was 32 percent coverage for three doses of HPV vaccine.
