Making the C.A.S.E. for the human papillomavirus vaccine: how to talk to parents and adolescents.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates have been stagnant or falling for females, and vaccination efforts are off to a poor start for males. Despite recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and other authorities that all adolescents receive the vaccine at 11 to 12 years of age, the latest data indicate no more than 32% of females ages 13 to 17 years have completed all three doses; the rate for males is less than 8%. Most parents are unfamiliar with HPV and are unaware that their children may one day become infected. In addition, they may not know that the vaccine is recommended. Others may question its safety and whether their child needs it; or they may think their child is too young to be vaccinated. Whether adolescents get the vaccine depends largely on their clinician: A clinician who directs a parent to have their child vaccinated will be more successful in ensuring that child is vaccinated than those who merely tell parents the vaccine is available. The Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics teaches clinicians to address vaccine hesitancy among parents using the C.A.S.E. approach. This approach is not just for parents; it also can be used to address adolescents' concerns in a persuasive manner.