The potential population-based impact of an HPV vaccination intervention in Colorado

Adult vaccination coverage in the United States: A database analysis and literature review of improvement strategies

Despite vaccines being instrumental in reducing vaccine-preventable disease, adult vaccination rates in the United States (US) are below optimal levels. To better understand factors affecting vaccination rates, we analyzed trends in adult vaccination coverage using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and conducted a targeted literature review (TLR) on interventions to improve adult vaccination rates in the US. Both the BRFSS analysis and the TLR focused on influenza; pneumococcal disease; tetanus and diphtheria or tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis; herpes zoster; and human papillomavirus vaccination for US adults aged 18-64 years. The TLR additionally included hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccination. Vaccination coverage rates (VCRs) and changes in VCRs were calculated using the 2011-2019 BRFSS survey data. For the TLR, the MEDLINE and MEDLINE In-Process databases were searched for articles on vaccination interventions published between January 2015 and June 2021. The BRFSS analysis showed that changes in VCRs were generally modest and positive for most states over the study period. The TLR included 32 articles that met the eligibility criteria; intervention strategies that improved adult vaccination outcomes incorporated an educational component, vaccination reminders or reinforcement at the point of care, or authorized non-clinician members of the healthcare team to vaccinate. Furthermore, interventions combining more than one approach appeared to enhance effectiveness. The strategies identified in this TLR will be valuable for policymakers and stakeholders to inform the development and implementation of evidence-based policies and practices to improve adult vaccination coverage.

Pre-implementation evaluation for an HPV vaccine provider communication intervention among primary care clinics

OBJECTIVES

Interventions to improve health care provider communication about HPV vaccination can increase vaccine acceptance. Our objectives were to (1) identify clinics in locations with high HPV-associated cancer and low HPV-vaccination rates that would potentially benefit from dissemination of a proposed HPV Provider Communication intervention and (2) use qualitative interviews and a dissemination and implementation framework to assess readiness for change and fit of the HPV Provider Communication intervention to the context of these clinics.

METHODS

Local HPV-associated cancer and HPV vaccination rates were assigned to Practice-Based Research Network clinics using data from the Colorado Central Cancer Registry, the Colorado Immunization Information System, and the American Community Survey. Staff from 38 clinics located in areas with high numbers of adolescents not up-to-date for HPV vaccine and high rates of HPV-associated cancers were recruited for qualitative interviews. Interview questions used the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARIHS) conceptual framework and addressed the proposed intervention, current vaccination practices and prior quality improvement (QI) experience.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven interviews were completed with clinicians, clinic managers, and other staff across 17 clinics (9 pediatric, 5 family medicine, 3 public/school-based health). Most clinics had some prior QI experience and there were few thematic differences between sites with more or less foundation for QI/immunization work. Participants were motivated to improve the health of their patients and valued both guidelines and local experience as important evidence to consider adopting an intervention. Interviewees were more interested in implementing the proposed intervention if it aligned with existing priorities and fit within clinic workflows. Facilitation needs included adequate time and external facilitation support for data tracking and analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Qualitative interviews to understand clinic context and fit of an HPV Provider Communication intervention can inform implementation in settings with the highest potential for clinical impact.

The potential population-based impact of an HPV vaccination intervention in Colorado

Background

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common cause of cervical cancer and can be prevented with vaccination, but HPV vaccination rates remain low. An intervention to improve health care provider communication about vaccination has been shown to increase HPV vaccination rates in an initial trial in Colorado, where about 160 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year.

Methods

Census data were combined with Colorado cancer and immunization registry data to identify clinics in locations that would most benefit from implementation of this intervention to improve HPV vaccination rates. ArcGIS Pro was used to map cervical cancer incidence, immunization rates, population data, and location of clinics participating in practice‐based research networks (PBRNs). Results from the provider communication intervention trial and published estimates of the number needed to vaccinate to prevent a case of cervical cancer were used to predict the number of cervical cancer cases prevented based on increased vaccination due to the intervention.

Results

Ninety‐eight Colorado PBRN clinics were analyzed. For the 10 clinics with the highest predicted number of cervical cancer cases prevented, 5218 additional patients would be vaccinated and 43 cervical cancer cases prevented with implementation of the intervention. If implemented in all 98 clinics, the intervention would lead to 20 490 additional patients vaccinated (range 7‐658/clinic) and 171 cases of cervical cancer prevented (range 0.05‐5.48/clinic).

Conclusions

Geographic data from cancer and immunization registries can inform the dissemination of evidence‐based practices like the provider communication intervention for HPV vaccination to maximize impact on public health.