Pediatrics

Parents on board: HPV vaccine at age 9 finds early support

June 5, 2025

Initiating HPV vaccination at ages 9 to 10 may not only be feasible and acceptable to parents, but may also streamline conversations and improve series completion.

In a mixed-methods study embedded in a randomized trial across 33 practices in Colorado and California, researchers evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of initiating HPV vaccination at ages 9 to 10. Surveys completed one month after implementation showed that 90% of Colorado and 77% of California clinicians were routinely recommending the vaccine at these earlier ages. Most reported no added burden to clinical workflow, with parental concerns and discussion times largely unchanged. Interviews with clinicians and staff revealed that parents were generally receptive, and resistance often stemmed from children expecting a vaccine-free visit rather than vaccine hesitancy. Earlier discussions were also shorter, as sexual activity was not yet a salient topic.

Source:

Tietbohl CK, et al. (2025, June 2). Pediatrics. Feasibility and Acceptability of Recommending HPV Vaccine at Ages 9-10 Years. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40451241/