Health care providers play a crucial role in uptake for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, and the conversations they have can have lasting impacts on patients’ health care. For example, adolescents are five times more likely to receive the HPV vaccine with a provider recommendation.
If a parent, guardian, or patient themself is concerned about the HPV vaccination, it is key for providers to listen and understand the source of their concerns before addressing them. At the end of the conversation, health care providers should give a firm and clear recommendation for the HPV vaccine to help protect against serious diseases, including cancer, as they would with any other childhood vaccination.
The Society for Women’s Health Research created the Prevent Cancer with the HPV Vaccine: A Guide to Giving a Strong Recommendation Fact Sheet to guide providers in this conversation and recommendation process. The fact sheet includes fast tips for discussing vaccination effectively, vaccination recommendations by age, and additional information about HPV-associated cancer risks.
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