Implementing a school-based HPV vaccination programme.
BACKGROUND
The Department of Health launched a national human papillomavirus immunisation programme for girls aged 12-13 years in September 2008.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing a school-based programme.


METHODS
HPV vaccination was offered over one academic year by two PCTs in 36 schools to 12-13-year-old girls, using different implementation plans.


RESULTS
At parent information evenings, the questions most often raised related to vaccine safety. In PCT 2, first-dose vaccine uptake was 78.7% (1,292), higher than the 59.8% (706) achieved in PCT 1. Using a late recall system and accepting late consenters in PCT 2 was associated with higher uptake, but led to one in five girls being outside the school schedule.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests uptake can be improved by achieving a high initial consent rate, accepting late consenters and adopting a flexible policy to maintain high coverage across all three doses.
Stretch
Rebecca
R
University of Manchester.
D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D000068857:Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine Quadrivalent, Types 6, 11, 16, 18; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012574:Schools; D006113:United Kingdom
D000068857:Human Papillomavirus Recombinant Vaccine Quadrivalent, Types 6, 11, 16, 18; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines