Demographic disparities, temporal trends, and geographic patterns of HPV vaccination on Long Island, New York: A comprehensive analysis of immunization registry data (2012–2023)

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) advised vaccinating children, adolescents and young adults against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in 2006, aiming to prevent HPV-related cancers and genital warts. As HPV vaccination rates remained low even 10 years after it was introduced, understanding vaccination patterns is essential for informing targeted public health interventions. This study explores the demographic disparities (age, gender, race and ethnicity), temporal trends, and geographical patterns of HPV vaccine administration by analyzing large-scale immunization registry data for Long Island (LI) (Nassau and Suffolk Counties), New York (NY). The vaccine registration data retrieved from the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS) was used to assess the HPV vaccine administration rate from 2012 to 2023. Patients' demographic information and regional variations were evaluated to identify the disparities between different subgroups. The HPV vaccination rate among LI children ages 9 to 13 demonstrates a growth of 284.43% from 2012 to 2019 and a slight decrease of 5.04% around 2020. Around 68.07% of individuals received their first dose before their 15^th birthday and 24.95% of them received their second dose timely, given 6 to 12 months after the first dose. Spatially, eastern LI consistently holds a higher HPV vaccination rate than northwestern LI due to regional disparities. The rising trend in HPV vaccination coverage on LI with a modest drop around 2020 indicates the likely impact of COVID-19 pandemic. This study suggests the need for increased focus on regions with lower vaccine uptake rates for preventing HPV-related cancers.