Identifying HPV vaccination research priorities for the US

To guide researchers and funders, we sought to identify top priorities for research on increasing HPV vaccine coverage among US children ages 9-12 years. In Survey 1, 60 participants (researchers, health care professionals, and other stakeholders engaged in HPV vaccination research) viewed 57 research topics about increasing HPV vaccination coverage and provided additional topics. We integrated their suggestions into the list and condensed similar items to reach a list of 38 topics. In Survey 2, 230 participants identified their top ten research priorities. The top HPV vaccination research priorities and their corresponding themes were misinformation (chosen by 50% of respondents, from the theme of vaccine confidence), starting at age 9 years (48%, primary care), and single dose (48%, other). The top ten research priorities also included vaccine communication (40%, primary care), system-wide approach (39%, health system and payers), community settings (39%, alternative settings), immunization registries (38%, policy), geography and rurality (37%, populations), school mandates (37%, policy), and near elimination of HPV cancers (37%, other). The proportion of participants selecting topics within each theme varied between 15% for health system and payers to 32% for alternative settings. These research priorities highlight research areas likely to yield impactful strategies for increasing HPV vaccination. Focusing US HPV vaccine research on these topics can optimize resource allocation, inform evidence-based interventions, and support policymaking to enhance vaccine uptake.