More U.S. Teens Get Vaccinated, CDC Finds

Routine adolescent vaccination coverage increased substantially from 2008 to 2009, CDC says in a new report focusing on youths ages 13-17. Among adolescent girls, uptake of at least the first injection of human papillomavirus vaccine increased from 37.2 percent to 44.3 percent. Uptake of the full three-shot HPV series rose nine points, from 17.9 percent to 26.7 percent.

The survey also included vaccine uptake for tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis (Tdap); measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR); hepatitis B; meningococcal conjugate; and varicella.

"We can see that more parents of adolescents are electing to protect their children from serious diseases such as pertussis (whooping cough), meningitis, and cervical cancer, but there is clear room for improvement in our system's ability to reach this age group," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

"Completing the three-dose HPV vaccine series is very important to ensure protection against cervical cancer," Schuchat said. "Visits for immunization can be a great opportunity to address other important preventive issues that all teens need."

The proportion of teens who had undergone a full course of at least three hepatitis B vaccine injections increased from 87.9 percent to 89.9 percent. Coverage was generally lower among older age groups.

HPV coverage was generally higher among older than younger adolescents, CDC said. By state, the proportion of adolescents receiving at least one HPV shot ranged from 22.9 percent in Mississippi to 69.0 percent in Massachusetts. Completed HPV series coverage was lower among blacks (23.1 percent) and Hispanics (23.4 percent) compared with whites (29.3 percent).

The complete report, "National, State, and Local Area Vaccination Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 13-17 Years - United States, 2009," was published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2010;59(32):1018-1023).

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