PEDIATRIC HEALTH
Stopping Shots in the Dark: Obstacles and Opportunities to Reduce Vaccine-Preventable Diseases By Edward Dick, MD
Introduction The current COVID-19 health emergency underscores the challenges and importance of preventing disease before it occurs through an effective immunization program. A coalition of the American Cancer Society and ImmunizeSA conducted a survey to identify current states of awareness, opportunities and obstacles to achieving optimal immunization. The 15-item survey was conducted online with participants from the Bexar County Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, Bexar County Chapter of the Texas Academy of Pediatrics and physician members of the Bexar County Medical Society (BCMS). The survey was conducted from January to April 2020 and had an 85% response rate (107 total respondents). Of the respondents, 42% were in private practice, and 96% of the respondents participated in the VFC program. Respondents included multiple practice roles, including medical assistants, nurses, physicians and other medical providers. The survey consisted of 10 general immunization questions and five optional questions on HPV vaccinations (79% response rate). Lessons Learned: Highlights Of the respondents, 81% reported using standing orders to administer Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended vaccines. Ninety nine percent of the respondents indicated that their ACIP standing orders include HPV vaccinations. Almost all the respondents (99%) indicated familiarity with the ImmTrac2 immunization registry, and 94% knew that in Texas, pediatric patients who turn 18 years old must consent again into ImmTrac2 when they turn 18. On the optional HPV vaccine survey, providers were asked to respond to questions about general knowledge of the human papilloma virus, the HPV vaccine and issues related to its administration. Figure 1 illustrates eight items related to the HPV vaccine.
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SAN ANTONIO MEDICINE • September 2021
Figure 1: What do you understand to be true about the HPV vaccine?
HPV vaccine is cancer prevention
95.95%
2 doses should be given to patients 9-14 years of age.
95.95%
3 doses should be given to patients above the age of 15 years
93.24%
The vaccine is safe for both males and females
97.30%
The HPV Vaccine prevents six types of cancers
54.05%
The HPV Vaccine is safe, and the only known side effects are mild, like those of other vaccines
87.84%
A common method for administering the vaccine is "Same Day, Same Way." This method encourages administration of the HPV vaccine while also administering other age-appropriate vaccines 81.08% I am not familiar with the HPV Vaccine
2.70%
