Completion and timing of the three-dose human papillomavirus vaccine series among adolescents attending school-based health centers in Oregon

Abstract Objective Many adolescents do not complete the 3-dose human papillomavirus vaccine series in the recommended time frame, or at all. Given the challenges of administering a multi-dose vaccine to adolescents, especially those in vulnerable populations, we evaluated completion of the human papillomavirus vaccine series in 19 of Oregon's school-based health centers. Methods Among persons aged 0–17 who initiated the human papillomavirus vaccine series at a study school-based health center in 2007, we identified all subsequent human papillomavirus doses administered at the school-based health centers, or found in Oregon's immunization information system, in 2007–2008. We describe the proportion completing the vaccine series and mean intervals between doses, stratified by age, race, and insurance status. Results Four hundred fifty persons initiated the human papillomavirus series in 2007. By December 2008, 51% of these had received all 3 doses. Series completion increased significantly with age, differed significantly between race groups (highest among white persons (56%); lowest among black persons (38%)), and did not differ significantly by insurance status. Mean intervals between doses did not differ significantly by race or insurance status. Conclusions Even in challenging conditions, school-based health centers provide excellent preventive care to vulnerable youth. These results support the importance of maintaining and expanding school-based health center access in vulnerable adolescent populations.