Unlocking the Opportunity for Targeted Implementation: Availability of On-Campus HPV Vaccination and Awareness for Maryland College Students

Posted on May 7, 2025 by Mehrnoosh Soori

This entry is part 14 of 14 in the series May 2025

This study examined the accessibility of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine within Maryland’s colleges and universities. Our findings, detailed in a recent publication in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice (JPHMP), “HPV Vaccination and Awareness Programs at Maryland Colleges and Universities,” stem from a joint effort between the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Maryland Cancer Collaborative, the Maryland Cancer Control Plan’s implementation arm. We aimed to generate knowledge to enhance HPV vaccination uptake and ultimately reduce HPV-related infections and cancers in Maryland.

It is well-established that specific HPV strains are etiological agents for a significant proportion of cervical cancers, as well as a substantial burden of anal, vaginal, vulvar, oropharyngeal, and penile cancers. Notably, approximately 80% of sexually active Americans are infected with HPV. Precancerous lesions are most prevalent among women in their 30s, with cervical cancer incidence peaking between ages 40-50. These trends highlight the importance of early-age HPV immunization to prevent infection and subsequent oncogenesis.

Read Our Article in the May Issue of JPHMP

The current Gardasil-9 vaccine demonstrates near-complete efficacy in preventing HPV infections and associated cancers. Routine vaccination is recommended for individuals aged 11-26, and it is also approved for adults aged 27-45 who may choose to be vaccinated. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates that most private insurance plans fully cover the vaccine’s cost. However, suboptimal vaccination rates persist, with approximately half of adolescents aged 13-17 in the United States not fully vaccinated. This highlights college students as a critical target population for intervention. Furthermore, studies indicate that approximately half of college students exhibit low awareness of the HPV vaccine and its availability at college health centers. Conversely, research has shown that offering the HPV vaccine in conjunction with targeted awareness programs significantly increases uptake within this population.

Our study explored the feasibility of utilizing college health centers as strategic sites for HPV vaccine delivery and awareness programs. We conducted an electronic survey at Maryland colleges to assess the current provision of HPV vaccination and related awareness initiatives.

Only 21% of surveyed Maryland colleges offered the HPV vaccine, and 17% provided awareness programs.
Approximately 39% of Maryland college students had access to the HPV vaccine through their college health services.
Vaccine clinics or pharmacy prescription partnerships were identified as viable alternatives for offering the vaccine at college health centers.
Awareness programs were feasible even when direct vaccine provision was not.
Opt-out policies were a potential low-cost alternative to awareness programs.

This study exemplifies a successful collaboration between the Maryland Cancer Collaborative and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, employing an academic research approach to address a significant public health issue. Based on our findings, we developed policy and program recommendations for the Maryland Department of Health and Maryland colleges, as detailed in our publication in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice.

For further information, please refer to “HPV Vaccination and Awareness Programs at Maryland Colleges and Universities” in the May 2025 issue of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice.

About the Author

Mehrnoosh Soori: Dr. Mehrnoosh Soori is a researcher at the Department of Epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research examines the spatial dimensions of access to cancer care and prevention and contributes to related policy and program development.