Iowa HPV Vaccination Project

Background:
The purpose of this investigation is to help the Family Planning Council of Iowa reduce the incidents of cervical cancer and mortality through the provision of the HPV vaccine to vulnerable populations.

Setting:
There are currently nearly 70 family planning clinics providing reproductive healthcare services to women around Iowa. Clinics are located in both rural and urban areas and are overseen by both the Family Planning Council of Iowa and the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Population:
All girls in Iowa, ages 9-18, are provided access to the HPV vaccine through the VFC program under the direction of the CDC. Women ages 19-26 are not provided access through any federal programming at this time. The population for this study is women, 18-26, who choose to receive family planning services at the Family Planning Council of Iowa or the Iowa Department of Public Health's delegate agencies. Of the women served at these clinics in 2006, nearly 34,500 fell into the 19-26 age range.

Project Description:
A state-wide survey of family planning clients at 16 clinics, ages 19-26, will be administered to determine the levels of assistance needed for client receipt of the HPV vaccine. Two pilot projects will also run, including a pilot to determine the effectiveness of Merck & Co., Inc.'s Patient Assistance Program in the family planning clinic setting and a pilot to determine health insurance coverage levels for the HPV vaccine.

Results/Lessons Learned:
The results will be used to outline the safety net need for lawmakers and insurance companies around Iowa for provision of the HPV vaccine, provide insight for other states about the necessity to provide programming support for all women to receive this vaccine, as well as access to other reproductive healthcare options.