title: HPV vaccine uptake after introduction of the vaccine in Germany: an analysis of administrative data.
abstract: In Germany, vaccination against human papilloma virus (HPV) has been recommended by the German Standing Vaccination Committee (STIKO) for girls aged 12-17 years since March 2007. The vaccine is free of charge for this age group. Additionally, some statutory health insurance providers (SHI) offer reimbursement for women aged 18-26 years. Currently available information on the uptake or coverage of HPV vaccination is limited to specific regions, age groups, or study populations. This report describes the HPV vaccine uptake in 2008 for females aged 12-26 years in Germany on a broad regional level based on data from one large SHI. HPV vaccinations were identified by outpatient codes used for reimbursement of vaccine administration. Vaccine uptake was calculated by dividing the number of females, who received at least one HPV vaccine dose by the number of female insurees in the respective age group. The overall study population consisted of 317 234 females, of whom 77 350 received at least one HPV vaccine dose in 2008. Vaccine uptake was 32.2% in the recommended age group, with a peak age at 14-16 years. In the age group of females aged 18-26 years, where HPV vaccination was not officially recommended by the STIKO, uptake was 12.3%. Vaccine uptake in 2008 reflects an early stage after the recommendation of HPV vaccination in 2007. Future changes in vaccine uptake should be further and more promptly monitored.
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology-BIPS GmbH; Bremen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hense
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology-BIPS GmbH; Bremen, Germany.
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hillebrand
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology; Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research; Braunschweig, Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Horn
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology; Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research; Braunschweig, Germany.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mikolajczyk
authors.affiliation: Sanofi Pasteur MSD GmbH; Leimen, Germany; Bayer Pharma AG; Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Renate
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schulze-Rath
authors.affiliation: Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology-BIPS GmbH; Bremen, Germany; Faculty of Human and Social Sciences; University of Bremen; Bremen, Germany.
authors.forename: Edeltraut
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garbe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines
keywords: claims data; females; human papilloma virus; uptake; vaccine