Christina Dorell

Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, 1975–2009, Featuring the Burden and Trends in Human Papillomavirus (HPV)–Associated Cancers and HPV Vaccination Coverage Levels

Background The American Cancer Society (ACS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR) collaborate annually to provide updates on cancer incidence and death rates and trends in these outcomes for the United States. This year’s report includes incidence trends for human papillomavirus (HPV)–associated cancers and HPV vaccination (recommended for adolescents aged 11–12 years). Methods Data on cancer incidence were obtained from the CDC, NCI, and NAACCR, and data on mortality were obtained from the CDC. Long- (1975/1992–2009) and short-term (2000–2009) trends in age-standardized incidence and death rates for all cancers combined and for the leading cancers among men and among women were examined by joinpoint analysis. Prevalence of HPV vaccination coverage during 2008 and 2010 and of Papanicolaou (Pap) testing during 2010 were obtained from national surveys. Results Death rates continued to decline for all cancers combined for men and women of all major racial and ethnic groups and for most major cancer sites; rates for both sexes combined decreased by 1.5% per year from 2000 to 2009. Overall incidence rates decreased in men but stabilized in women. Incidence rates increased for two HPV-associated cancers (oropharynx, anus) and some cancers not associated with HPV (eg, liver, kidney, thyroid). Nationally, 32.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 30.3% to 33.6%) of girls aged 13 to 17 years in 2010 had received three doses of the HPV vaccine, and coverage was statistically significantly lower among the uninsured (14.1%, 95% CI = 9.4% to 20.6%) and in some Southern states (eg, 20.0% in Alabama [95% CI = 13.9% to 27.9%] and Mississippi [95% CI = 13.8% to 28.2%]), where cervical cancer rates were highest and recent Pap testing prevalence was the lowest. Conclusions The overall trends in declining cancer death rates continue. However, increases in incidence rates for some HPV-associated cancers and low vaccination coverage among adolescents underscore the need for additional prevention efforts for HPV-associated cancers, including efforts to increase vaccination coverage.

Parent-Reported Reasons for Nonreceipt of Recommended Adolescent Vaccinations, National Immunization Survey—Teen, 2009

Objectives: To identify parent-reported reasons for non-receipt of adolescent vaccinations by provider recommendation status. Methods: Parental reasons for non-receipt of adolescent vaccines were analyzed among adolescents 13-17 years using data from the 2009 National Immunization Survey-Teen (n=20,066). Results: Among unvaccinated adolescents, 87.9% (Td/Tdap), 90.9% (MenACWY), and 66.0% (HPV) of parents reported that they did not receive a healthcare provider recommendation for their adolescent to receive the vaccine. Among those without a provider recommendation, the most common reasons for not receiving the vaccines were ‘vaccine not recommended’ [Td/Tdap, MenACWY] and ‘not needed’ [HPV]. Among those with a recommendation, the most common parental reasons were ‘lack of knowledge’ [Td/Tdap], ‘vaccine not needed’ [MenACWY], and ‘lack of knowledge’ [HPV]. Conclusions: Non-receipt of provider recommendations was a main parent-reported reason for not getting vaccinated. Increasing parental knowledge and vaccination coverage through increased provider-parent communication about disease risk and vaccine benefits is needed.

Factors That Influence Parental Vaccination Decisions for Adolescents, 13 to 17 Years Old National Immunization Survey–Teen, 2010

Objectives. We aim to describe factors that influence parental decisions to vaccinate their adolescents. Methods. Data from the July to December 2010 National Immunization Survey–Teen Parental Concerns Module were analyzed to determine factors that influence parental decisions to vaccinate their adolescents. Results. Parents reported that their adolescent’s health care provider recommended tetanus toxoid/tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Td/Tdap; 74.4%), meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY; 60.3%), and human papillomavirus (HPV; 71.3%). Vaccination coverage estimates were significantly higher among parents who reported receiving a provider recommendation: 85.2% versus 76.7% (Td/Tdap), 77.3% versus 49.7% (MenACWY), and 62.2% versus 21.5% (HPV). Compared with Td/Tdap and MenACWY, fewer HPV vaccination conversations included recommendations for vaccination. Other than health care providers, school requirements (46.1%), news coverage (31.2%), and family (31.0%) were most frequently reported influences on parental vaccination decisions. Conclusions. Many factors influence parental decisions to vaccinate their adolescents; one of the most important factors is the provider recommendation. Missed opportunities for vaccination persist when strong vaccination recommendations are not given or are delayed.

Validity of Parent-Reported Vaccination Status for Adolescents Aged 13-17 Years: National Immunization Survey-Teen, 2008

Objective. The validity of parent-reported adolescent vaccination histories has not been assessed. This study evaluated the validity of parent-reported adolescent vaccination histories by a combination of immunization card and recall, and by recall only, compared with medical provider records. Methods. We analyzed data from the 2008 National Immunization Survey-Teen. Parents of adolescents aged 13–17 years reported their childs vaccination history either by immunization card and recall (n=3,661) or by recall only (n=12,822) for the hepatitis B (Hep B), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), varicella (VAR), tetanus-diphtheria/tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (Td/Tdap), meningococcal conjugate (MCV4), and quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV4) (for girls only) vaccines. We validated parental report with medical records. Results. Among the immunization card/recall group, vaccines with >20% false-positive reports included MMR (32.3%) and Td/Tdap (36.9%); vaccines with >20% false-negative reports included VAR (35.2%), MCV4 (36.0%), and Tdap (41.9%). Net bias ranged from −25.0 to −0.1 percentage points. Kappa values ranged from 0.22 to 0.92. Among the recall-only group, vaccines with >20% false-positive reports included Hep B (33.9%), MMR (61.4%), VAR (26.2%), and Td/Tdap (60.6%); vaccines with >20% false-negative reports included Hep B (58.9%), MMR (33.7%), VAR (51.6%), Td/Tdap (25.5%), Tdap (50.3%) MCV4 (63.0%), and HPV4 (20.5%). Net bias ranged from −46.0 to 0.5 percentage points. Kappa values ranged from 0.03 to 0.76. Conclusions. Validity of parent-reported vaccination histories varies by type of report and vaccine. For recently recommended vaccines, false-negative rates were substantial and higher than false-positive rates, resulting in net underreporting of vaccination rates by both the immunization card/recall and recall-only groups. Provider validation of parent-reported vaccinations is needed for valid surveillance of adolescent vaccination coverage.

Adolescent Vaccination-Coverage Levels in the United States: 2006–2009

BACKGROUND: From 2005 through 2007, 3 vaccines were added to the adolescent vaccination schedule: tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis (TdaP); meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY); and human papillomavirus (HPV) for girls. OBJECTIVE: To assess implementation of new adolescent vaccination recommendations. METHODS: Data from the 2006–2009 National Immunization Survey–Teen, an annual provider-verified random-digit-dial survey of vaccination coverage in US adolescents aged 13 to 17 years, were analyzed. Main outcome measures included percentage of adolescents who received each vaccine according to survey year; potential coverage if all vaccines were administered during the same vaccination visit; and, among unvaccinated adolescents, the reasons for not receiving vaccine. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2009, ≥1 TdaP and ≥1 MenACWY coverage increased from 11% to 56% and 12% to 54%, respectively. Between 2007 and 2009, ≥1 HPV coverage among girls increased from 25% to 44%; between 2008 and 2009, ≥3 HPV coverage increased from 18% to 27%. In 2009, vaccination coverage could have been >80% for Td/TdaP and MenACWY and as high as 74% for the first HPV dose if providers had administered all recommended vaccines during the same vaccination visit. For all years, the top reported reasons for not vaccinating were no knowledge about the vaccine, provider did not recommend, and vaccine is not needed/necessary (for TdaP and MenACWY) and adolescent is not sexually active, no knowledge about the vaccine, and vaccine is not needed/necessary (for HPV). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent vaccination coverage is increasing but could be improved. Strategies are needed to increase parental knowledge about adolescent vaccines and improve provider recommendation and administration of all vaccines during the same visit.

Human papillomavirus vaccine uptake among 9- to 17-year-old girls: National Health Interview Survey, 2008.

Since 2006, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has been routinely recommended for preadolescent and adolescent girls in the United States. Depending on uptake patterns, HPV vaccine could reduce existing disparities in cervical cancer.

Middle School Vaccination Requirements and Adolescent Vaccination Coverage

OBJECTIVE: To determine if middle school vaccination requirements are associated with higher coverage for adolescent vaccines. METHODS: School entry requirements for receipt of vaccination for school entry or education of parents for 3 vaccines recommended for adolescents: tetanus/diphtheria-containing (Td) or tetanus/diphtheria/acellular pertussis (TdaP), meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY), and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in place for the 2008–2009 school year were reviewed for the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Vaccination coverage levels for adolescents 13 to 17 years of age by state requirement status and change in coverage from 2008 to 2009 were assessed by using the 2008–2009 National Immunization Survey-Teen. RESULTS: For the 2008–2009 school year, 32 states had requirements for Td/TdaP (14 specifically requiring TdaP) and none required education; 3 states required MenACWY vaccine and 10 others required education; and 1 state required HPV vaccine and 5 required education. Compared with states with no requirements, vaccination requirements were associated with significantly higher coverage for MenACWY (71% vs 53%, P < .001) and Td/TdaP (80% vs 70%, P < .001) vaccines. No association was found between education-only requirements and coverage levels for MenACWY and HPV vaccines. States with new 2008–2009 vaccination requirements (n = 6, P = .04) and states with preexisting vaccination requirements (n = 26, P = .02) for Td/TdaP experienced a significant increase in TdaP coverage over states with no requirements. CONCLUSIONS: Middle school vaccination requirements are associated with higher coverage for Td/TdaP and MenACWY vaccines, whereas education-only requirements do not appear to increase coverage levels for MenACWY or HPV vaccines. The impact on coverage should continue to be monitored as more states adopt requirements.

Delay and Refusal of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine for Girls, National Immunization Survey–Teen, 2010

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine coverage among girls is low. We used data reported by parents of 4103 girls, 13 to 17 years old, to assess associations with, and reasons for, delaying or refusing HPV vaccination. Sixty-nine percent of parents neither delayed nor refused vaccination, 11% delayed only, 17% refused only, and 3% both delayed and refused. Eighty-three percent of girls who delayed only, 19% who refused only, and 46% who both delayed and refused went on to initiate the vaccine series or intended to initiate it within the next 12 months. A significantly higher proportion of parents of girls who were non-Hispanic white, lived in households with higher incomes, and had mothers with higher education levels, delayed and/or refused vaccination. The most common reasons for nonvaccination were concerns about lasting health problems from the vaccine, wondering about the vaccine’s effectiveness, and believing the vaccine is not needed.

Hepatitis A Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents in the United States

OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis A infection causes severe disease among adolescents and adults. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices instituted incremental recommendations for hepatitis A vaccination (HepA) at 2 years of age based on risk (1996), in selected states (1999), and universally at 1 year of age, with vaccination through 18 years of age based on risk or desire for protection (2006). We assessed adolescent HepA coverage in the United States and factors independently associated with vaccination. METHODS: Data from the 2009 National Immunization Survey–Teen (n = 20 066) were analyzed to determine ≥1- and ≥2-dose HepA coverage among adolescents 13 to 17 years of age. We used bivariate and multivariable analyses to test associations between HepA initiation and sociodemographic characteristics stratified by state groups: group 1, universal child vaccination since 1999; group 2, consideration for child vaccination since 1999; group 3, universal child vaccination at 1 year of age since 2006. RESULTS: In 2009, national 1-dose HepA coverage among adolescents was 42.0%. Seventy percent of vaccinees completed the 2-dose series. One-dose coverage was 74.3% among group 1 states, 54.0% for group 2 states, and 27.8% for group 3 states. The adjusted prevalence ratios of vaccination initiation were highest for states with a vaccination requirement and for adolescents whose providers recommended HepA. CONCLUSIONS: HepA coverage was low among most adolescents in the United States in 2009 leaving a large population susceptible to hepatitis A infection maturing into adulthood.

Compliance with recommended dosing intervals for HPV vaccination among females, 13–17 years, National Immunization Survey-Teen, 2008–2009

Data from the 2008 and 2009 National Immunization Survey-Teen were analyzed to determine age at initiation of the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) series among females 13-17 years (n=7594) and assess compliance with the recommended HPV dosing intervals. Among females who initiated the HPV series, 56.7% of females<13 years at the time of the HPV vaccine recommendation publication did so by age 13; while the majority of females 13-14 and 15-17 years at the time of the recommendation publication did so at ages 14 (44.4%) and 16 (46.7%), respectively. Forty-six percent of females who received three doses completed the vaccination series in a period longer than the recommended time interval. Series completion at an earlier age to ensure protection before sexual debut is optimal. Improved provider communication of the need for three doses for long-term protection and implementing clinical practice guidelines to use reminder-recall systems may increase HPV completion.