Provider Central

This article is for family practices, primary care providers, and pediatricians caring for our members

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As a primary care provider, your recommendation is the number one reason parents choose to vaccinate their child against human papillomavirus (HPV). Kids should begin receiving the HPV vaccine at age 9 and complete the course by age 13 for maximum effectiveness.

Make it a goal for your practice to vaccinate age-eligible children in the communities you serve.

Boost HPV vaccination rates

• Engage your team. Train staff on how the HPV vaccine protects against cancer and ensure they are well-informed for effective communication.
• Track patients due for vaccinations. Develop a process in your electronic medical record and with office staff to flag patients due for their vaccine and contact patients to schedule appointments.
• Establish standing orders to streamline vaccinations for age-eligible children.

Effective ways to recommend

• Use presumptive recommendations to encourage vaccination readiness. These statements assume parents or guardians are ready to have their children vaccinated and may be more effective than open-ended discussions (see the first example of sample scripting below).
• Combine vaccine recommendations if patients are eligible for multiple vaccinations.
• Let patients know they can also complete the vaccine series at their local retail pharmacy if it's more convenient.

Communication strategies

• Actively listen to address concerns and build trust. Identify the primary concern and restate it to show you are listening.
• Show urgency by recommending that the vaccination is done today.
• Follow up if HPV vaccination is initially declined.

Additional resources

• American Cancer Society’s Action Guide for Physicians, Physician Assistants, Physician Associates, and Advanced Practice Nurses
• Merck’s Motivational Interviewing brochure

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