Celebrating HPV prevention work across the nation

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Champions recognized in 25 states for their work to increase vaccination rates

The American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Association of American Cancer Institutes (AACI) recently announced the 2019 HPV Vaccine is Cancer Prevention Champion award winners. This year, champions were honored from 25 states (not all states participate). The winners were notified last week. 

This award was established in 2017 to recognize clinicians, clinics, practices, groups, and health systems that are going above and beyond to foster HPV vaccination in their communities. State and territorial immunization program managers coordinate the nomination and review process. Champions must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Adolescent Health: The candidate must be a clinician, clinic, practice, group, or health system that treats adolescents as part of their overall population.
• Vaccination Rates: The candidate must reach the target series completion rate of 60% for the patient population aged 13–15 years. The rate must account for both female and male patients. Vaccination under the two-dose schedule (two doses given at least five months apart in children ages 9–14 years old) satisfies series completion, as does the original three-dose schedule.

In addition, Champions should meet one or more of the following judging criteria:

• Leadership: The candidate is considered an authority on HPV vaccination. 
• Collaboration: The candidate has worked to build support for and increase HPV vaccination rates in their adolescent population. 
• Innovation: The candidate has used creative or innovative strategies to promote HPV vaccination or address challenges to HPV vaccination in their practice, health system, community, state, or region. 

Congratulations to California winner Raymond Perry, MD. Dr. Raymond Perry is a pediatrician and the director of Hubert H. Humphrey Comprehensive Health Center, an outpatient primary and specialty care center within the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (LAC DHS). To learn more about Dr. Raymond Perry and the other champions read the winner spotlights.

*Re-posted from MySocietySource.