Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection in the United States and a leading cause of several cancers, including cervical, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal. Yet, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine, vaccination rates remain below national goals.

Evidence shows that a strong recommendation from a health care provider is the most influential factor in vaccination decisions, underscoring the importance of your role in safeguarding patients from HPV-related cancers.¹

HPV prevalence

Each year, approximately 37,800 cancer cases are directly linked to HPV infection, highlighting the necessity of vaccination to prevent these cancers. Here’s a breakdown:

Strategies for engaging patients

Engaging patients in meaningful dialogue is crucial for increasing vaccine uptake. Here are some evidence-based strategies to consider:

• Use the AIMS method³
  • Announce: Present the vaccine as a standard part of care.
  • Inquire: Ask about concerns or hesitations the patient might have.
  • Mirror: Show understanding of their perspective.
  • Secure: Build trust through empathy and clear information.
• Emphasize cancer prevention. Frame the vaccine as a proactive measure for cancer prevention. It’s not just about preventing an infection, it’s about protecting long-term health.³
• Normalize the vaccine. Avoid singling out the HPV vaccine. Present it alongside other routine immunizations to reduce stigma and increase acceptance.⁴
• Tailor the message. For adults, especially those aged 27–45, use shared decision-making. Discuss sexual history and potential exposure risks to determine individual benefits.³

For example-When talking with the parent of an adolescent patient, you might say:

“Now that your child is 11, they need three vaccines to help protect against meningitis, HPV-related cancers, and whooping cough. We will administer these shots during today’s visit. Do you have any questions?”⁵

This approach normalizes the conversation, emphasizes cancer prevention, and fosters trust.

Industry resources to aid conversations

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers the following valuable resources, at no cost, to assist health care providers in recommending vaccinations to patients:

• You Call The Shots
• Immunization Education & Training
• Talking with Parents about HPV Vaccination

Safety and efficacy of Gardasil 9

Gardasil 9 is the only HPV vaccine used in the United States, with over 135 million doses administered and no serious adverse events reported beyond typical expectations. Common mild side effects include injection site reactions, dizziness, fainting, nausea, and headache. Clinical trials with over 15,000 participants have confirmed the vaccine’s strong safety and efficacy. Within 12 years of its introduction, HPV infections dropped dramatically – 88 percent in females aged 14–19 and 81 percent in females aged 20–24 – with protection lasting more than ten years.⁶

Vaccine recommendations

The CDC recommends HPV vaccination starting at age 11–12, with the option to begin as early as age 9. Catch-up vaccinations are recommended up to age 26 for those not adequately vaccinated. For adults aged 27–45, vaccination may be considered based on individual risk factors and shared decision-making.⁷

Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS^®)⁸ measures

Each year, Cigna Healthcare^® collects data for HEDIS by requesting medical records from providers. HEDIS is an industry-wide method to help compare and assess a health plan’s performance in a variety of areas, including vaccinations.

HEDIS measures for vaccination status assess the percentage of adolescents who have completed the HPV vaccine series by their 13th birthday. The 2024 HEDIS immunization measures for HPV vaccinations⁹ are shown below:

Cigna Healthcare coverage

Routine vaccinations are typically covered at no cost when administered at in-network locations, which your patients can find by logging in to myCigna.com.

You can learn more about our coverage policies related to vaccinations in the Preventive Care Services Coverage Policy (A004).

1 Eliminating Cervical Cancer: the Impact of Screening and Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination.

2 Cancers Linked with HPV Each Year.

3 Tips to an effective HPV vaccination talk with adults.

4 Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV).

5 Five Ways to Boost Vaccination Rates.

6 HPV Vaccine Safety and Effectiveness Data.

7 HPV Vaccine Recommendations.

8 HEDIS^® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

9 White Paper ‒ What is the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set.