Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of related viruses that are transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact. HPV is very common and almost everyone will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives. Although most HPV infections are asymptomatic, some persistent infections may lead to cancer in both men and women. All girls and boys who are 11 or 12 years old should get the recommended series of HPV vaccines in order to gain protection against the most common types of HPV viruses that may cause cancers and other symptoms.

During 2008-2016, 3 doses of HPV vaccine were required to complete the series. During 2016, new recommendations were implemented to require 2 doses separated by 5 months for immunocompetent adolescents initiating the HPV vaccine series before their 15th birthday and 3 doses for all others. From 2008-2015, 3 or more doses of HPV vaccine were reported; during 2016 a new measure, "up-to-date" for HPV vaccine, was used to assess vaccination coverage.

Results from the CDC’s 2021 National Immunization Survey-Teen (NIS-Teen) show that 65.8% (95% CI: 56.8-73.8 ) of adolescent males aged 13-17 years in Connecticut were up-to-date for HPV vaccine. Although an increase in vaccine coverage was seen in CT in 2020 and 2021 and vaccine coverage is above the Healthy Connecticut 2020 goal, HPV vaccination is still significantly below Healthy People 2020 goals.

The 2021 U.S. rate was 59.8% (95% CI: 57.6-61.8), the Healthy People 2020 goal is 80%, and the Healthy Connecticut 2020 goal is 52.3%.

Confidence intervals can be seen by hovering over each data point. These data are current as of February 2023.

DPH Immunization Partners

Government: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CT Department of Social Services/Community Health Network (CHN), CT Department of Children and Families, CT Local Health Departments/Districts, Tribal Governments, Health Departments from other states, Emergency Response and Public Health Preparedness

Organizations and Coalitions: Connecticut Vaccine Advisory Council (CVAC), Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Foundation for Children, CT American Lung Association, American Immunization Registry Association (AIRA), Every Child By Two, Association of Immunization Managers (AIM), American Cancer Society

Business and Industry: Pharmaceutical companies that produce vaccines, Immunization Information System (IIS) vendors, electronic health record (EHR) vendors, insurance companies

Health Care: Private and public providers, community health centers, school based health centers, hospitals

Education: Daycares, schools and colleges, Board of Nursing, State Department of Education, Yale School of Public Health

Community Services: CT Department of Social Services, Community Health Network (CHN), Local WIC Offices, tribal services, services for immigrants and refugees, homeless shelters and programs, domestic violence shelters and programs, Hispanic Health Council, Maternal Infant Outreach Program - City of Hartford Health and Human Services (MIOP) , Family Strides, Head Start, Healthy Start, Nurturing Families, Connections, Mom’s Project, Positive Parenting, Project Mother Care, Reach out and Read, Birth to Three, libraries, churches, Community Health Center Family Wellness Center/New Britain, Weston Women’s League, Human Resources Agency of New Britain (HRA), Family and Children’s Agency (FCA) of Norwalk, Spanish Speaking Center, United Way

The Public: Parents and the general public

Reducing missed vaccination opportunities through strong physicians recommendations; parent and adolescent education initiatives.

Presidents Cancer Panel Annual Report. Accelerating HPV Vaccine Uptake: Urgency for Action to Prevent Cancer. 2012-2013. http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/pcp/annualReports/HPV/PDF/PCP_Annual_Report_2012-2013.pdf

For current year priority strategies and actions, click here (right click to open link).
SHIP Strategies:

Advocate expanding patient eligibility for HPV vaccine available through the Connecticut Vaccine Program to ensure access for all adolescents.

Promote the use of HPV vaccine in targeted settings including School Based Health Centers, to effectively reach adolescents.

Educate providers about vaccine availability, delivery, cost and practice guidelines.

Educate parents and providers about the cancer prevention benefits of the HPV vaccine.

Promote CDC's 'You are the Key to Cancer Prevention' strategies.

The Connecticut Vaccine Program is Connecticut’s childhood vaccination program. It ensures all children in the state get the vaccinations they need, when they need them, to stay healthy. The state buys vaccine at the lowest possible price through a government contract, and gives the vaccines at no cost to clinics, private doctors, and other health care providers. These providers then vaccinate children without charging patients for the cost of the vaccine (health care providers may still charge an administration fee). Without this program, some insurance companies may not cover the full cost of vaccine, making it too expensive for some families. HPV vaccine is available to children 9-18 years of age without private insurance at no cost through the Connecticut Vaccine Program.