NCT04722822

The HPV 9-10 Trial: Early Initiation of HPV Vaccination

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 3,100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 9 Years – 13 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Every year, thousands of Americans die from cancers related to human papillomavirus (HPV). The vast majority of those deaths could be prevented with a safe and effective vaccine, yet many parents choose not have their children vaccinated when it is recommended at age 11 or 12. In this study, we will examine in a randomized trial whether earlier initiation of the vaccine at age 9-10 years will result in less parental refusal and higher rates of full vaccination at younger ages, before early sexual activity begins.

Detailed description

The burden of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related disease in the US is substantial. A safe and effective vaccine has been available for \>10 years, yet the current rate of completion for the HPV series is only 49% for U.S.13-17 year olds. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine HPV vaccination at age 11-12 years (yrs), but states that the vaccine "can be given starting at age 9 years." Currently, the majority of pediatricians begin recommending the vaccine at ages 11-12 yrs, however, a recent retrospective study showed that on-time completion rates for HPV vaccine were much higher when the vaccine series was initiated at ages 9-10 compared to ages 11-12 (adjusted odds ratio, 12.8). HPV vaccine should be given prior to sexual activity which occurs earlier than 13 yrs for many teens. There are compelling reasons to think that earlier initiation of vaccination at ages 9-10 might result in higher rates of acceptance of the vaccine and earlier series completion. First, many parents refuse HPV vaccine because they have concerns that vaccination could result in higher promiscuity in early adolescents if the vaccine is discussed in the context of sexuality. Initiation at 9-10 yrs, when few providers discuss sex, could put the focus squarely on cancer prevention, decreasing vaccine refusal. Second, three vaccines are recommended at the 11-12 yr visit, but many parents/adolescents are unwilling to receive all three at one visit. When one of the vaccines is delayed, it is almost always HPV vaccine. Initiation at 9-10 yrs when no other vaccines are given could result in less deferral of vaccination to mid-adolescence and higher rates of vaccination prior to early sexual activity. Finally, initiation at age 9-10 years has been shown to be feasible and, in an observational study, to result in higher rates of on-time series completion. Therefore, we plan to test the effectiveness of shifting initiation of HPV vaccine to 9-10 yrs in a randomized pragmatic trial. Our Specific Aims are to: SA 1: Recruit practices in two states (Colorado and California), randomize in a balanced fashion to recommending HPV vaccine at ages 9-10 yrs or 11-12 yrs and provide standardized training to both arms. SA 2: Conduct a trial to assess effectiveness of early initiation on the primary outcome of age at HPV series completion; secondary outcomes will examine HPV series completion by age 13 and age at HPV series initiation. SA 3: Examine the effect of earlier initiation on length of time for HPV vaccine discussions and on parent/provider communication about HPV vaccine via audio-taping of visits, audio-elicitation interviews with parents and structured interviews with providers and clinic staff. If earlier HPV initiation is successful in promoting higher HPV series completion by 13 yrs, this intervention could be rapidly disseminated and would have the potential to prevent thousands of cases of HPV-related cancers, their attendant morbidity and mortality as well as the costs of screening, diagnosis and treatment for these cancers yearly.

Conditions

• HPV

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	(Intervention) Recommending HPV vaccine for patients 9-10 years of age	Practices are randomized to receive training on how to recommend HPV vaccine, including both standardized communication strategies and strategies for switching from 11-12 years to 9-10 years including: challenges with 11-12 strategy, long-term immunity, success of other practices and tips to help standardize to age 9-10. Trainings will be a combination of online and in-person or virtual. Annual trainings will be offered and providers will receive Maintenance of Certification credits (MOC) for participating. Providers will routinely recommend HPV starting at age 9 for all patients -- which is already approved for this vaccine but is not routinely recommended at age 9 years.
BEHAVIORAL	(Control) Recommending HPV vaccine for patients 11-12 years of age	Control practices will receive a training on standardized communication for HPV vaccine including: using strong recommendations, using presumptive recommendation, providing specific phrases to use with parents, answering common questions and, HPV vaccine as a cancer prevention. Annual trainings will be offered and providers will receive professional development credit (MOC).

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-12-23
• Primary completion: 2026-04-01
• Completion: 2027-04-01
• First posted: 2021-01-25
• Last updated: 2025-10-21

Locations

2 sites across 1 country: United States