Factors related to vaccine uptake by young adult women in the catch-up phase of the National HPV Vaccination Program in Australia: Results from an observational study

Highlights • HPV vaccination in Australia commenced in 2007, and included vaccination of 12–13 year old girls at school and a catch-up for females aged 12–26 years. The catch-up was delivered through schools, general practices and community-based programs. • Women 18–26 years of age vaccinated in the Australian catch-up program have yet to be fully characterized in terms of their socio-demographic, clinical and behavioural profiles. • Young adult women vaccinated in the catch-up were more likely to be Australian-born, nulliparous, single and living in higher socioeconomic status areas than unvaccinated women. • Vaccinated women had fewer sexual partners but also reported factors associated with potentially increased risk of prior HPV exposure, such as a history of sexually transmitted infections. • Although the vaccination catch-up program in Australia has been very effective, the findings reinforce the continuing need to prioritise equitable delivery of vaccination to various population subgroups.