Available online 10 April 2024, 107951

Overall, 15.6% of mid-adults had ever received the HPV vaccine.

About 87% initiated the HPV vaccine at ages 9–26, and 13% initiated the HPV vaccine after age 26.

Study findings drive the need to explore factors that influence HPV vaccine decision-making among mid-adults.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine prevents six types of cancer. Previously, this vaccine was only approved for 9–26-year-olds. However, in October 2018 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the HPV vaccine for 27- to 45-year-olds (mid-adults). The current study aimed to assess HPV vaccination among a national sample of U.S adults aged 27–45 years. This study also assessed factors associated with HPV vaccine initiation after age 26.

Data were analyzed using the 2019 National Health Interview Survey. The study included two samples: (1) mid-adults aged 27–45 (n = 8556), and (2) mid-adults who self-reported they had initiated HPV vaccination within the 27–45 age range and those who were unvaccinated (n = 7307). The outcome variables were HPV vaccination status and HPV vaccine initiation. The independent variables represented constructs from Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use. The odds of HPV vaccination were estimated using weighted multivariable logistic regression models.

Overall, 15.6% had ever received the HPV vaccine and 13.1% initiated their first dose of the vaccine after age 26. Hispanic (aOR = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.58, 0.92) and non-Hispanic Asian persons (aOR = 0.59; 95% CI = 0.41, 0.84) had lower odds of ever receiving the vaccine than non-Hispanic White persons. Females (aOR = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.42, 3.32) had higher odds of initiating the vaccine after age 26 than males.

The ACIP recommendation of shared clinical decision-making emphasizes the role of clinical interactions in HPV vaccine decision-making. Study findings highlight the need to further explore contextual factors that may influence HPV vaccine behavior among mid-adults.

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