National and State Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 13–17 Years — United States, 2012

At ages 11 through 12 years, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that preteens receive 1 dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine, 1 dose of meningococcal conjugate (MenACWY) vaccine,* and 3 doses of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (1–3). ACIP recommends administration of all age-appropriate vaccines during a single visit (4). ACIP also recommends that pre-teens and older adolescents receive an annual influenza vaccine as well as any overdue vaccines (e.g., varicella) (1). To monitor vaccination coverage among persons aged 13–17 years,† CDC analyzed data from the National Immunization Survey–Teen (NIS-Teen). This report highlights findings of that analysis. From 2011 to 2012, coverage increased for ≥1 Tdap vaccine dose§ (from 78.2% to 84.6%), ≥1 MenACWY vaccine dose (from 70.5% to 74.0%) and, among males, ≥1 HPV vaccine dose (from 8.3% to 20.8%). Among females, vaccination coverage estimates for each HPV vaccine series dose were similar in 2012 compared with 2011. Coverage varied substantially among states. Regarding Healthy People 2020 targets for adolescents (5), 36 states achieved targets for Tdap, 12 for MenACWY, and nine for varicella vaccine coverage. Large and increasing coverage differences between Tdap and other vaccines recommended for adolescents indicate that substantial missed opportunities remain for vaccinating teens, especially against HPV infection (6). Health-care providers should administer recommended HPV and meningococcal vaccinations to boys and girls during the same visits when Tdap vaccine is given. In addition, whether for health problems or well-checks, providers, parents, and adolescents should use every health-care visit as an opportunity to review adolescents' immunization histories and ensure that every adolescent is fully vaccinated.

NIS-Teen identifies persons aged 13–17 years in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, selected areas,¶ and the U.S. Virgin Islands** using a random-digit–dialed sample of landline and, since 2011, cellular telephone numbers.†† Survey respondents are parents or guardians of teens aged 13–17 years who provide information about their children's sociodemographic characteristics and vaccination providers. After receiving consent from respondents, questionnaires are mailed to all identified providers to obtain data from medical records, so that composite, provider-reported immunization histories can be analyzed.§§ In 2012, national estimates included 19,199 adolescents (9,058 females; 10,141 males).¶¶ Details regarding NIS-Teen methodology, including methods for synthesizing provider-reported immunization histories and weighting, have been described.*** T-tests were used to assess vaccination coverage differences by survey year, age, sex, race/ethnicity, and poverty status for all vaccines included in this report. Weighted linear regression was used to assess coverage trends for vaccines recommended routinely for adolescents since 2005–2006 (i.e., Tdap, MenACWY, and among females, HPV vaccine). Results were considered statistically significant at p<0.05.

National Vaccination Coverage

Vaccination coverage trends differ substantially for the three vaccines routinely recommended for adolescents since 2005–2006 (Figure). During 2006–2012, coverage for ≥1 Tdap vaccine dose and ≥1 MenACWY vaccine dose increased steadily, with annual average increases of approximately 12.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.9–14.0) and 10.1 (CI = 7.5–12.6) percentage points, respectively. Since 2009, the national estimate for ≥1 MenACWY vaccine dose has been lower than the estimate for ≥1 Tdap vaccine dose, and the difference in coverage between the two vaccines is widening (Figure). From 2011 to 2012, while ≥1 Tdap vaccine dose coverage increased 6.4 percentage points, coverage for ≥1 MenACWY vaccine dose increased only 3.5 percentage points. During 2007–2011, coverage for ≥1 HPV vaccine dose among females lagged behind estimates for Tdap and MenACWY vaccines, increasing on average 6.1 (CI = 3.3–8.9) percentage points each year. However, in 2011 and 2012, HPV vaccination rates among females did not increase (Figure, Table 1). Overall, HPV vaccination series completion among females was lower in 2012 compared with 2011.††† Compared with 2011 coverage rates, 2012 coverage estimates among males for HPV vaccine doses were higher (Figure, Table 1), but ≥1 dose coverage was lower (p<0.05) in 2012, the first survey year following the routine recommendation for males (3), than that achieved for females by 2007 (Figure) (7), the first survey year following licensure of the quadrivalent HPV vaccine for administration to females (2).

Among vaccines recommended for adolescents if not previously administered, coverage remained >90% for ≥2 MMR vaccine doses and ≥3 hepatitis B vaccine doses. Varicella vaccination coverage increased significantly for ≥1 and ≥2 doses (Table 1).

Vaccination Coverage by Selected Characteristics

In 2012, vaccination coverage rates were similar across age groups for Tdap, MenACWY, HPV (among males), MMR, and hepatitis B vaccines (Table 1). Older teens had lower varicella ≥1 and ≥2 dose coverage than younger age groups. Among females, HPV vaccination coverage increased by an average of approximately 4–6 percentage points per year of age for ≥1, ≥2, ≥3 doses and series completion (p<0.05); however, even among females aged 17 years (the most highly vaccinated age group), only 44.5% had received ≥3 doses.

In 2012, with the exception of HPV vaccination (Table 1), estimates were similar for both sexes for Tdap, MenACWY, MMR, hepatitis B, and varicella vaccination coverage measures. Tdap (≥1 dose) vaccination coverage was similar across poverty levels§§§ and racial/ethnic groups (Table 2). MenACWY (≥1 dose) vaccination coverage was similar across poverty levels; however, whites had lower coverage than other racial/ethnic groups. HPV vaccination coverage was higher for those living below poverty level for ≥1 and ≥2 doses among females and ≥1, ≥2, ≥3 doses among males; however, among females, series completion was higher among those living at or above poverty level. Compared with whites, HPV vaccination coverage rates for Hispanics were higher for ≥1 and ≥2 doses of vaccine among females and ≥1, ≥2, ≥3 doses among males. Among males, coverage for ≥1 and ≥2 HPV vaccine doses was higher for blacks compared with whites, but 3-dose series completion was lower. Among females, HPV vaccine series completion was lower for Hispanics and blacks compared with whites. Coverage for ≥2 doses MMR vaccine and ≥3 doses hepatitis B vaccine differed by poverty level and was lower for Hispanics compared with whites. Varicella vaccine coverage (≥2 doses) was lower for those living below the federal poverty level.

State Vaccination Coverage

Coverage estimates for Tdap, MenACWY, and HPV vaccines varied widely among states. Coverage for ≥1 Tdap vaccine dose ranged from 53.5% (Mississippi) to 96.3% (New Hampshire), and for ≥1 MenACWY vaccine dose, from 37.5% (Arkansas) to 94.3% (Rhode Island) (Table 3). Among females, coverage for ≥1 HPV vaccine dose varied from 39.4% (Florida) to 73.7% (Rhode Island), and for ≥3 HPV vaccine doses, from 12.1% (Mississippi) to 57.7% (Rhode Island). Among males, coverage for ≥1 HPV vaccine dose ranged from 11.2% (Wyoming) to 55.2% (Rhode Island). Regionally, vaccination coverage was highest overall in the Northeast (Table 3). Among males, vaccination coverage estimates for each HPV vaccine series dose and HPV series completion were similar across regions.

Healthy People 2020 Targets

The Healthy People 2020 national targets for vaccination coverage among adolescents by ages 13–15 years are 80.0% for ≥1 Tdap dose, ≥1 MenACWY dose, and ≥3 HPV doses (among females), and 90.0% for ≥2 varicella doses (5). Among adolescents aged 13–15 years, vaccination coverage in 2012 was 85.3% (CI = 84.1–86.5) for ≥1 Tdap dose, 73.8% (CI = 72.3–75.2) for ≥1 MenACWY dose, 28.1% (CI = 26.1–30.2) for ≥3 HPV doses (among females), and 76.8% (CI = 75.1–78.4) for ≥2 varicella doses. Measures for Tdap, MenACWY, and varicella vaccines increased by 2.3–5.0 percentage points from 2011 to 2012; HPV vaccine (≥3 doses) coverage remained unchanged. Based on point estimates, 36 states met or exceeded national Tdap vaccination coverage targets, 12 met or exceeded MenACWY targets, and nine met or exceeded varicella targets. No state met the national target for HPV vaccination coverage among females.

Reported by

C. Robinette Curtis, MD, David Yankey, MS, Jenny Jeyarajah, MS, Christina Dorell, MD, Shannon Stokley, MPH, Immunization Services Div; Jessica MacNeil, MPH, Div of Bacterial Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; Susan Hariri, PhD, Div of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, CDC. Corresponding contributor: C. Robinette Curtis, rcurtis@cdc.gov, 404-639-8389.

Editorial Note

National progress toward achievement of Healthy People 2020 targets for adolescents has been observed for Tdap, MenACWY, and varicella vaccines; however, at only 28.1%, national coverage for ≥3 HPV vaccine doses among females aged 13–15 years remains far short of the Healthy People 2020 target of 80%. In contrast, in 2012, coverage estimates among teens aged 13–15 years for ≥1 Tdap vaccine dose and ≥1 MenACWY vaccine dose were 85.3% and 73.8%, respectively, demonstrating that 80% vaccination coverage is achievable among adolescents. Among teens aged 13–17 years, the gap widened between Tdap and MenACWY vaccination coverage. Although age-related disparities were not observed in 2012 for many vaccines, age-related disparities were present for older adolescents for varicella and, among younger females, for HPV vaccination coverage (e.g., coverage for ≥3 HPV vaccine doses was more than 24 percentage points lower among females aged 13 years compared with those aged 17 years). Since reporting of HPV vaccination estimates among females began in 2007 with an initial ≥1 HPV vaccine dose coverage estimate of 25.1% (7), coverage rates for ≥1 HPV vaccine dose have increased only modestly compared with estimates for ≥1 Tdap vaccine dose and ≥1 MenACWY vaccine dose. However, from 2011 to 2012, HPV dose-specific vaccination rates among females did not increase at all, and series completion actually decreased. Following routine recommendations for males in 2011 (3) and females in 2006 (2), respectively, the initial coverage in 2012 for ≥1 HPV vaccine dose for males was lower than initial coverage for females (7). Differences in vaccination coverage underscore that clinicians and parents are missing opportunities to administer HPV, MenACWY, and varicella vaccinations during visits when Tdap vaccine is given.

Vaccination coverage estimates remained widely variable by state and vaccine. Differing state school vaccination requirements for Tdap, MenACWY, and varicella vaccines, respectively, might have fostered increased coverage for these vaccines (8). For entry into nonresidential middle schools during the 2012–13 school year, 40 states required Tdap vaccination.¶¶¶ Increased Tdap vaccination coverage also might have been influenced by provider and parent awareness that, in 2012, most states reported increased pertussis cases or outbreaks.****

As with other vaccines recommended for the civilian population of the United States, ACIP recommends Tdap, MenACWY, and HPV vaccines for the youngest age group at risk for the vaccine-preventable diseases for whom safety and efficacy of the particular vaccines have been shown (1,4). ACIP recommends administration of all age-appropriate vaccines during a single visit (4). For example, during a single visit, a healthy child aged 11 years should routinely receive recommended doses of Tdap, MenACWY, and HPV vaccines; then, before leaving the provider's practice settings, two subsequent visits within 6 months should be scheduled for completion of the HPV vaccine series as recommended.

Other recommended strategies for increasing vaccination coverage, including HPV vaccination among females, have been well-described (6,8,9), but many have not been widely adopted. Clinicians should provide strong, clear, consistent vaccination recommendations to adolescents and their parents or guardians (6). Clinicians, public health agencies, and other stakeholders can also improve vaccination rates by reducing out-of-pocket vaccination costs for patients and their families (8). Through enrolled vaccination providers, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program provides vaccines for uninsured, Medicaid-eligible, and other children through age 18 years whose families might not otherwise be able to afford vaccines.†††† HPV vaccination coverage was generally higher among teens living in poverty, which might reflect the VFC program's effectiveness at reaching these young persons; however, series completion rates were lower among teens living in poverty, suggesting that other barriers need to be identified and addressed for this vulnerable population.

Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010§§§§ also offers opportunities to improve vaccination coverage among children and adolescents. Under the law, nongrandfathered private health plans must offer, at no cost to beneficiaries, vaccines that are recommended by ACIP. Similarly, qualified health plans on the new health exchanges that go into effect starting in 2014 must offer ACIP-recommended vaccines at no cost to beneficiaries.

The findings in this report are subject to at least three limitations. First, household response rates were 23.6% (cellular phone households) and 55.1% (landline households), respectively. Only 56.4% (cellular telephone) and 62% (landline) of completed household interviews also had adequate provider-verified vaccination data. After weighting adjustments, bias from nonresponse and exclusion of households without telephones might have remained. Coverage estimate increases of approximately 3 percentage points for Tdap, 2 for MenACWY, and 6 among females for HPV vaccination initiation might have resulted, based on a total survey error model including comparison to provider-reported data collected from a sample of National Health Interview Survey participants. Estimates of bias do not include errors in vaccination status (e.g., under ascertainment from incomplete vaccination provider identification and unknown medical record completeness) and do not address potential differential noncoverage or nonresponse bias over time (10). Second, weighted linear regression analyses using national data did not account for methodologic changes in sampling frames. Although vaccination estimates from landline only (2006–2010) and dual sampling frames (2011–2012) might not be comparable, prior methodologic assessment suggests that the addition of cellular telephone numbers beginning in 2011 should have had limited effects on annual national coverage estimates. Finally, estimates for particular states and reporting areas and for racial/ethnic populations with sample sizes <1,000 might be unreliable. For HPV coverage analyses by state and sex, small sample sizes decrease the power to detect differences.

Achieving high vaccination coverage among adolescents is feasible, and progress is evident for most vaccines. Lack of progress with HPV vaccination among females warrants immediate action by health-care providers, parents, public health agencies, and other immunization stakeholders. Through the VFC program, eligible children and teens can receive recommended vaccines at no cost to their families for the vaccines. Additional efforts are needed to ensure that health-care providers administer recommended HPV and meningococcal vaccinations to boys and girls during the same visits when Tdap is given. Providers, parents, and adolescents should use every health-care visit, whether for health problems, well-checks, or physicals for sports, school, or camp, as an opportunity to review adolescents' immunization histories and ensure that every adolescent is fully vaccinated on time with every recommended vaccine (1,4,6).

References

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