HPV vaccination rates for U.S. girls still on rise, but only slightly

HEALTH

HPV vaccination rates for U.S. girls still on rise, but only slightly

Mike Stobbe The Associated Press
Published Thursday, July 30, 2015 5:57PM EDT

In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007 file photo, Lauren Fant, left, winces as she has her third and final application of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine administered by nurse Stephanie Pearson at a doctor's office in Marietta, Ga. (AP/ John Amis)

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NEW YORK -- More U.S. girls are getting a controversial vaccine, but the increase last year was only slight.

released Thursday found 60 per cent of adolescent girls received at least one of three doses of the vaccine against human papillomavirus, or HPV. It was 57 per cent in 2013.

For boys, the rate was 42 per cent, up from 34 per cent.

The vaccine has been available to girls since 2006 but has been recommended for boys since 2011. It protects against cervical cancer and genital warts. The shots are recommended at age 11 or 12, to protect youths before they start to have sex.

Health officials say not enough pediatricians are strongly recommending HPV shots. Vaccination rates against other diseases like whooping cough are much higher.