HEALTH BY NUMBERS HPV Vaccination among Female Adolescents in Rhode Island, 2008–2011

摘要

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world. In the United States, approximately 20 million people are currently infect- ed with HPV and another 6 million people become newly infected each year. 1,2 In fact, most sexually active adults be- come infected at some point in their lives, with the highest rates of infection among people in their late teens and early 20s. 1,2 Although most HPV infections are asymptomatic and transient, certain types can cause cervical cancer in wom- en and other types of anogenital cancers and genital warts in both men and women. 1,2 Two vaccines are available to prevent the HPV types that cause most cervical cancers: a bivalent vaccine (Cervarix), and a quadrivalent vaccine (Gar- dasil). Gardasil also prevents HPV types that cause most gen- ital warts and protects against certain anogenital cancers. 1,2,3 Either HPV vaccine is routinely recommended for females aged 11-12 years. Gardasil is routinely recommended for males aged 11-12 years. Both vaccines are administered as a 3-dose series over 6 months, ideally, before adolescents are exposed to HPV. 1,2,3 The Rhode Island Department of Health currently provides only Gardasil to health care providers who use state-supplied vaccines.