The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection that, if left untreated, can cause cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus and oropharynx. Every year in the US, HPV causes approximately 36,000 cases of cancer in men and women. Thankfully, the HPV vaccine can help prevent these cancers.
The HPV vaccine is routinely recommended to male and female youth and adolescents. New evidence shows that early vaccination, at age 9, can significantly boost vaccine initiation and completion rates, address disparities in access, and prevent more cancers. The National HPV Vaccination Roundtable developed a communications toolkit to assist hospital systems and state and local health departments in implementing age 9 HPV vaccination messaging. The toolkit includes:
- Messaging for an e-news blurb, blog posts, social media posts and graphics with evidence-based articles
- A collection of articles showing the effectiveness of vaccinating at age 9
- Video abstracts highlighting key articles
- Why age 9 fact sheet
By sharing this knowledge and advocating for the early initiation of HPV vaccination, we can take significant steps towards reducing the burden of HPV-related diseases and saving lives. As we continue to learn and adapt our strategies, initiating vaccination early will remain a vital resource in our efforts to protect the health and well-being of future generations.
If you would like to learn more about vaccinating at age 9, the National HPV Vaccination Roundtable is holding a webinar on Thursday, November 9th at 2 PM EST. Registration is now open.