Compliance with recommended dosing intervals for HPV vaccination among females, 13-17 years, National Immunization Survey-Teen, 2008-2009.

Data from the 2008 and 2009 National Immunization Survey-Teen were analyzed to determine age at initiation of the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) series among females 13-17 years (n=7594) and assess compliance with the recommended HPV dosing intervals. Among females who initiated the HPV series, 56.7% of females<13 years at the time of the HPV vaccine recommendation publication did so by age 13; while the majority of females 13-14 and 15-17 years at the time of the recommendation publication did so at ages 14 (44.4%) and 16 (46.7%), respectively. Forty-six percent of females who received three doses completed the vaccination series in a period longer than the recommended time interval. Series completion at an earlier age to ensure protection before sexual debut is optimal. Improved provider communication of the need for three doses for long-term protection and implementing clinical practice guidelines to use reminder-recall systems may increase HPV completion.