Current issues in adolescent immunization

Human papillomavirus vaccine delivery strategies that achieved high coverage in low- and middle-income countries

“…Although concerns have arisen regarding the level of school attendance in developing countries, 9,11,23,25,31 we found the rates to be very high in all areas. Moreover, the high vaccination coverage achieved in school-based programmes …”

“…They attribute them to the fact that the vaccine targets older girls, protects against a sexually transmitted virus, requires three doses, confers its benefit later in life and may be unaffordable. 9,[23][24][25][26] However, this study clearly shows that a range of HPV vaccine delivery strategies can be successful in low-resource settings. The coverage levels achieved resemble those obtained with vaccination programmes in high-income countries: 65.1% uptake of the first dose in British Columbia, Canada; 27 68.5% uptake of two doses in Manchester, United Kingdom; 28 and 26.7% and 55.0% coverage with three doses in the United States 29 and southern Australia, 30 respectively.…”

Immunization in Adolescents: Past, Present and Future

“…Therefore one of the big barriers to immunization is the adolescent vaccine acceptance. Needle-phobia, multiple dose vaccines, misperceptions regarding the safety of vaccines, a lack of knowledge about the importance of immunizations and their health benefits, unawareness of being at risk for infectious diseases and peer-pressure are determinant factors for the vaccine acceptance and vary by age [10][11][12]. In addition the role of Internet, in particular blogs, regarding the diffusion of misperceptions about the safety of vaccines has been recently underlined [13].…”

Adolescent Vaccination: Physician Challenges and Solutions

“…Education of adolescents, their parents and/or guardians, healthcare providers, and policymakers is vital to successful implementation of adolescent immunization [24]. Multiple credible and accurate information sources on immunizations are available to healthcare providers including recommendation statements from the ACIP published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the AAP Red Book, the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Group on Immunization Education's Web site (www.immunizationEd.org), and the Immunization Action Coalition Web site (www.immunize.…”