Factors Associated with Initiation and Completion of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Series Among Young Women Enrolled in Medicaid

Purpose: To determine age- and race-specific uptake rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among females aged 9-20 years who participated in the Florida Medicaid during the first 2 years after approval by the Food and Drug Administration, and to identify factors associated with HPV vaccine initiation and series completion.

Methods: Medicaid administrative data were used to identify claims for HPV vaccination together with individual, provider, and practice characteristics linked to each vaccination.

Results: As of June 2008, 9.4% of females aged 11-18 years had ever received an HPV vaccination, and 1.8% had completed the three-vaccine series. In multivariate analysis, receipt of an HPV vaccination was found to be associated with age and race/ethnicity. In comparison with their white counterparts, black females were approximately half as likely to complete the three-vaccine series after initiation.

Conclusions: The data obtained suggest relatively slow initial uptake and completion of the HPV vaccine series in this population who are at an increased risk for cervical cancer, with racial disparities in vaccine uptake and vaccine series completion.