HPV vaccinations increase in state but lag nation's

Oklahoma's teen vaccination rate against human papillomavirus, which causes deadly cervical cancer, has been rising. The rate for the first of the three-dose vaccine reached 47 percent in 2010

The rate of teens immunized with the first of the three-dose vaccine reached 35.5 percent in fiscal year 2008, 40 percent in 2009 and 47 percent in 2010, said Ken Cadaret, registered nurse and interim chief of the state Health Department's immunization service. Last year's national rate is about 49 percent.

Rate may rise more

The Oklahoma rate for all three doses was 16 percent in 2008, no report in 2009 and 31.1 percent in 2010. Nationally, the rate was 32 percent in 2010.

Cadaret said the HPV vaccination rate is likely to rise because for the first time this year, Oklahoma is requiring a Tdap vaccination of all students entering seventh grade.

Because the children will be in county health departments or other health care providers' offices anyway, more of them are expected to get the HPV vaccine, as well.

“We're excited because it's going to save lives,” Cadaret said.

“Ten or 15 years from now we're going to see less cervical cancer.”

Both boys and girls may take the HPV vaccinations.

The vaccine costs the state Health Department $100 per dose but the vaccine is free at county health departments for families without health insurance covering the vaccine.

The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis or whooping cough, a disease that has re-emerged in Texas, Idaho, Michigan, South Carolina and California, where 1,500 children have been diagnosed in what is called the worst outbreak in 50 years.