Multicomponent Strategy Improves Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates Among Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease

To assess if a multicomponent intervention including provider education, incentives, and a monitoring system improves initiation and completion of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination in adolescents with sickle cell disease.There were 479 adolescents, ages 12 to 22 years (mean age 16.5), with sickle cell disease who were eligible to receive the HPV vaccination series included.This was a nonrandomized study at a single center in Memphis, TN conducted from October 2019 to December 2019. Data were collected from the Sickle Cell Clinical Research and Intervention Program database 15 months before implementation and 15 months during implementation. The multicomponent approach included (1) provider education regarding HPV vaccination, (2) provider incentives with maintenance of certification credit, and (3) a monitoring system that alerted staff weekly of patients in need of HPV vaccination at their upcoming visits.The multicomponent intervention led to increased incidence of initiation and completion of the HPV vaccine series. Vaccination implementation improved from 28% to 46% and completion from 7% to 49%. Factors that led to increased series initiation and completion rates included the multicomponent intervention, living in close proximity to the health care facility, and lower state deprivation index (higher socioeconomic status).The initiation and completion of HPV vaccination series in patients with sickle cell disease was significantly increased through the use of a multicomponent intervention that included provider education, provider incentives, and a monitoring system.This study aimed to increase HPV vaccination among adolescents with sickle cell disease. The authors had great success in increasing the incidence of HPV vaccination initiation and completion. Many patients with medically complex conditions receive the majority of their care at a specialty center. Such centers are potential targets for similar vaccination implementation strategies. This is especially important when considering high risk patients with vaccine hesitancy. Future studies could include utilizing a similar approach in other aspects of preventative care.