Local Officials, Healthcare Systems Support HPV Vaccine Week

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed August 1-7, 2021 to be California HPV Vaccine Week. This new awareness week is also supported by The American Academy of Pediatrics, California Chapter 3, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, and the San Diego County Office of Education in urging parents to get kids caught up on essential immunizations, including the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

“San Diegans have sacrificed and followed strict public health measures to protect against the threat of COVID-19, enabling a safe re-opening of our region - but now we must act rapidly to prevent a rise in other vaccine-preventable illnesses,” said First District Supervisor Nora Vargas, who presented the Board of Supervisors’ proclamation to coalition of health leaders supporting HPV vaccination and prevention.

ABOUT THE HPV VACCINE. Adolescents 9 years and older qualify for the HPV vaccine and it is administered in two or three doses depending on the individual’s age when receiving the first dose. The HPV vaccine is cancer prevention. The vaccine is safe and effective at preventing certain HPV infections that can cause six types of cancer including cervical cancer.

"San Diego County is facing a significant vaccination gap, especially for adolescents, due to the pandemic and missing routine well-child visits,” said Dr. Kelly Motadel, Child Health Officer for San Diego County’s Health and Human Services Agency. “It is critical that we get back on track with adolescent vaccination to ensure healthier children and safer communities.”

Data shows HPV vaccination rates have continued to lag around the world and in the US, and the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed key preventive services for adolescents, resulting in missed routine vaccinations.

Even before the pandemic, HPV vaccination completion in San Diego County was at 54%, below the national goal of 80% vaccination, and significantly lagging behind Meningococcal (93%) and Tdap (94%) rates, which are given at the same visit. In April 2020, after the initial ‘stay at home’ mandate, vaccinations for children decreased by more than 40%compared to the same month the previous year, according to the California Department of Public Health. Now in 2021, US HPV vaccinations are estimated to have dropped 21% during the pandemic – from figures already below the level of herd immunity needed to prevent HPV related cancer in this generation.

“As a region, we must ensure children and adolescents continue to receive their routine vaccinations to keep our communities safe and healthy,” said Dr. Paul Gothold, San Diego County Superintendent of Schools. “We encourage families, as part of back-to-school planning, to make sure young people are up to date with vaccinations and well-child visits.”

HOW TO TAKE ACTION. Parents should contact their pediatric medical home to schedule an appointment and discuss missed vaccinations. Information on routine adolescent vaccines, including a vaccine schedule, is available from the CDC. For a list of local information on immunizations, please visit the San Diego Immunization Program.

“Parents are inundated with information about adolescent vaccinations, and it is crucial to talk to your child’s pediatrician when it comes to their health and well-being,” said Dr. Michelle Dern, AAP-CA3’s Immediate Past President and Chair of the Infectious Disease Committee. “Routine immunizations are an important part of preventing serious diseases and some forms of cancer.”

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN HPV VACCINE WEEK. The California HPV Vaccination Roundtable provides valuable resources to join the campaign in spreading awareness about the HPV vaccine including a downloadable social media toolkit, joining an informative webinar on the topic, and sample messaging for newsletters or blog posts.

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ABOUT AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS, CALIFORNIA CHAPTER 3

The American Academy of Pediatrics, California Chapter 3 (AAP-CA3) is dedicated to achieving physical, mental health and social well-being for every infant, child and adolescent in San Diego and Imperial Counties. Founded in 1961, AAP-CA3 is one of four American Academy of Pediatrics chapters in California. Visit aapca3.org for more information.