Teen Vaccination rates increase

National Immunization Awareness Month – Teen Vaccination Week was celebrated last month and there is great news to share with you!

The 2017 CDC National Immunization Survey (NIS) of 13-17 year olds (Teen) released last week is indicating increases in vaccination coverage rates for Montana’s teens. In addition to what is listed below, HPV vaccination for males for the 1st dose and UTD increase by more than 20 percentage points to be essentially even with females.

Here’s how Powder River County ranks in relation to state and national rates. For Tdap (Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis) vaccination the national rate is 88.7%, state rate is 90.4% and county rate is 96%. For the MCV (Meningococcal) vaccination the national rate is 85.1%, state rate is 71.27% and county rate is 77%. For the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination the national and state rate is 65.5% while the county rate is only 53%.

HPV vaccination prevents cancer. With 80% of teens and adults getting an HPV infection in their lifetime, in the U.S., over 30,000 cases of cancer could be prevented each year through vaccination. The HPV vaccine is routinely recommended at ages 11-12 years and catch up for those age 13-26 years who missed vaccination at an earlier age. It can be administered at the same visit with the meningitis and whooping cough vaccines. In 2017, only 49% of Montana teens are protected against HPV. This is significantly below the goal of 80%. Each year in Montana, vaccination could prevent an estimated 130 cases of HPV-associated cancers. If a teen begins the vaccine series before their 15th birthday, it takes only two doses to complete the series. Otherwise, three doses are needed.

Parents/guardians of 11-17 year olds can enter their teen into a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card if they have received at least one Tdap, one MCV4, and one HPV. To qualify, the immunizations need to be administered and the entry received by October 31, 2018. However, the immunizations did not have to be administered in 2018. They could have been received in previous years.

One gift card per county will be awarded. The deadline for entry for the 2018 drawing is October 31, 2018. Parents/guardians can enter the drawing through our webpage at http://www.immunization.mt.gov, then select MT TeenVax.

Let’s make sure our teens are protected from these diseases. Call 436-2297 to make an appointment or ask questions.