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.