TREAT CHILDREN EARLY TO MAXIMIZE CANCER PREVENTION

Date: 08/02/23

Children as young as age nine may benefit from the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination series, which can help prevent six types of cancer later in life. The American Cancer Society recommends boys and girls ages nine to 12 begin the HPV vaccination series with two doses, six to 12 months apart¹. It is important that your patients understand that HPV cancer prevention decreases the longer they wait to vaccinate.

To satisfy the HEDIS® measure for Immunization for Adolescents (IMA), the HPV vaccine must be given in a two or three dose series on or before the member’s thirteenth birthday. Primary care physicians can earn a Pay for Quality incentive for delivering preventive healthcare services, including the HPV vaccination. To learn more about increasing your practice’s HEDIS rates use our HEDIS® MY 2023 Quick Reference Guide.

References:

1.       HPV vaccination and cancer prevention: ACS. cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/hpv/hpv-vaccine. Accessed July 11, 2023.