On the Path to Prevention from the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program

Renewed Focus and Determination

Each year, those of us working on HPV vaccination anxiously await the release of the National Immunization Survey (NIS)-Teen data. This year, we learned HPV vaccination coverage did not increase and children who are publicly insured continue to experience declines in protection. We summarize more data in this newsletter, for your reference. We have so much potential when it comes to preventing 93% of six types of HPV cancers. I use the release of the NIS-Teen data each year as a time to pursue our work with renewed focus – and determination. I believe our efforts are aligning and will ensure all children are protected from HPV cancers they may develop in adulthood through HPV vaccination. I also wonder what more we can do and how we can improve.

On a more celebratory note, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program is celebrating 30 years of saving children’s lives through vaccination. This public health program in the U.S. has produced impressive results – preventing more than 1.1 million childhood deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases in its duration. Wow. That is impressive. I look forward to what the next 30 years will bring.

September brings us several national awareness and recognition months – Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, and the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month. We have a lot of excellent information to share with you about current and upcoming programming and activities related to these observances.

As always, the newsletter includes updates on major programs and initiatives, partner activities and updates. If you have anything you would like for us to share, please email us at PreventHPV@stjude.org.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released the 2023 National Immunization Survey (NIS)-Teen data. The latest 2023 data for adolescent vaccinations was published in MMWR on August 23. This annual survey provides information on vaccination coverage among adolescents in the U.S. to assess progress and identify opportunities for improvement.

In terms of HPV vaccination, the following major take-aways were observed based on the 2023 data:

For the second consecutive year, HPV vaccination coverage has not increased among adolescents aged 13-17 years.

HPV vaccination initiation (≥1 dose) among adolescents 13-17 years included in the 2023 survey was lower (76.8%) when compared to Tdap (89.0%) and MenACWY (88.4%). HPV UTD (up to date with HPV vaccination) was 61.4%.

Following the pandemic, Vaccines for Children (VFC)-eligible adolescents no longer have higher HPV vaccination coverage compared to non-VFC-eligible adolescents. The percentage of VFC-eligible adolescents who were up to date with HPV vaccination was 10.3 percentage points lower among adolescents born in 2010 compared with those born in 2007.

The 2023 NIS-Teen survey data identify gaps and opportunities for improving adolescent vaccination coverage, especially for HPV cancer prevention. Ongoing efforts to promote HPV vaccination and address disparities are essential to maintaining and improving public health.

Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is a big deal at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, as you might imagine. On average, more than 290 children and adolescents in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer every week. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped improve the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened in 1962. As the leading institution in clinical trials for childhood cancer in the U.S., St. Jude is dedicated to raising awareness about ongoing research, treatments, and cures every day.

HPV vaccination plays a crucial role in preventing HPV-related cancers. However, vaccination rates remain lower than desired, particularly among childhood cancer survivors. These survivors are at higher risk for future cancers caused by HPV but are less likely to be vaccinated. To address this gap, we are committed to providing accurate, evidence-based information and resources directly to survivors. By equipping them with the necessary knowledge, we aim to boost their confidence in seeking HPV vaccination, an essential step in protecting their long-term health.

HPV is a common virus that causes 6 types of cancer. A safe and effective vaccine is available to provide long-lasting protection against HPV cancers. Nearly everyone is exposed to HPV at some point in their lives. HPV vaccination is recommended for everyone ages 9–26 years and for some people aged 27–45 years. HPV vaccination is cancer prevention.

At St. Jude, we recognize the unique bond that these survivors share with their treatment teams—a relationship built on trust, care, and mutual respect. Leveraging this trusted connection, our campaign, "Survivor Proud," aims to promote the HPV vaccination among childhood cancer survivors.

The campaign's primary focus is to build confidence in HPV vaccination by leveraging the trusted relationship childhood cancer survivors have with oncology treatment teams at St. Jude. By providing accurate information and resources, we aim to increase the likelihood of childhood cancer survivors seeking HPV vaccination to prevent HPV cancers. Our goal is not only to educate but also to empower survivors to take proactive steps to protect their future health. We are proud of childhood cancer survivors – not just for overcoming their battles but for their ongoing commitment to living healthy lives. They are Survivor Proud, and together, we celebrate their courage and resilience

Learn more about HPV vaccination among childhood cancer survivors here. Search "HPV" on together.stjude.org for additional

Every Child Deserves HPV Cancer Protection

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program’s national public awareness campaign “Their Future is in Your Hands” is all about how kids have a knack for getting lost in whimsical thoughts—whether they're dreaming of dragons or debating the merits of chocolate ice cream over vanilla. One thing you can be sure they're not thinking about—the risk of HPV cancers that can affect them in adulthood.

Our campaign serves as a playful reminder that while kids are busy dreaming up their next big adventure, it's up to parents to tackle the more serious concerns—like protecting them from HPV cancers.

Check out campaign resources at stjude.org/PreventHPV and follow us on Facebook.

The Empowering and Strengthening Community, Culture, and Connection to Prevent HPV Cancers virtual seminar series was launched in May of this year, our first seminar focused on “Understanding HPV Vaccination and HPV Cancer Disparities among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders."

Access the recording of the May seminar here.

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15 each year. The second seminar, “Vacunación Sin Barreras”: Addressing HPV Vaccination Inequities and HPV Cancer Disparities in Hispanic and Latino Communities, will be held on October 2 from noon to 1:15 p.m. Central Time.

This virtual seminar will explore HPV vaccination inequities in HPV vaccination and HPV cancers within Hispanic and Latino communities. Panelists will present data showcasing existing disparities, emphasize the significance of disaggregated data and discuss strategies for enhancing HPV cancer prevention efforts within this population. The seminar will be moderated by Deborah Parra-Medina, PhD, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. Presenters will be Ada Valdes, HPV cancer survivor; Daisy Morales-Campos, PhD, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health San Antonio Regional Campus; Jane Montealegre, PhD, MD Anderson Cancer Center; and Jesse Nodora, DrPH, Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health.

Improving Rural HPV Vaccination Coverage

Preventing HPV Cancers with Rural Communities: Updates and Opportunities – August 2024

The quarterly updates meeting on efforts to improve rural HPV vaccination coverage took place on August 21 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Central Time. The event featured a presentation by Jason Semprini, PhD, postdoctoral scholar at the University of Iowa College of Public Health. Dr. Semprini's research provided the first analysis of HPV cancer data from 2015 to 2020, building on the Zahnd et al. publication from 2018, which reviewed cancer registry data from 1995 to 2013. Sara Lolley, MPH, program manager of Immunization Initiatives at the American Academy of Pediatrics, joined the meeting to share updates on the American Academy of Pediatrics communication campaign aimed at improving HPV vaccination rates in rural communities. Additionally, our St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program highlighted the latest developments regarding six priority action steps for enhancing rural HPV vaccination coverage. For more information, you can access the meeting recording and presentation slides here.

Upcoming Webinar with the National Association of Rural Health Clinics

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program will deliver a webinar, “Strengthening Rural Health Through HPV Vaccination,” hosted by the National Association of Rural Health Clinics on October 1 at 2 p.m. Central Time. This webinar will highlight the crucial role of HPV vaccination in protecting rural communities and discuss collaborative efforts to boost vaccination rates. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about strategies and initiatives to enhance health outcomes in rural areas.

Advancing Rural HPV Cancer Prevention: Key Conference Highlights

2024 National Immunization Conference

Our team also presented at the 2024 National Immunization Conference, on August 12-14, showcasing our poster on "Prioritizing Actions to Improve HPV Vaccination with Rural U.S. Communities." This presentation provided a valuable opportunity to share our work and connect with other public health professionals focused on increasing HPV vaccination rates. If you would like to request a copy of the poster or learn more about our initiatives, please contact us at

2024 National Rural Cancer Control Conference

The 2024 National Rural Cancer Control Conference, sponsored by the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, was held on August 8-9 in Nashville. One session focused on eliminating HPV cancers through implementation and policy initiatives. Moderated by Electra Paskett, PhD, The Ohio State University, the session featured speakers who are actively involved in the fight against HPV cancers with rural communities.

Deanna Kepka, PhD, University of Utah, kicked off the session with a presentation on "Exploring New Frontiers in HPV-Related Cancer Prevention," where she discussed innovative approaches and the latest research in the field. Following her presentation, Cristóbal Valdebenito, MA, MPH, St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program spoke on "Enhancing HPV Vaccination in Rural Communities: Strategies and Successes." Valdebenito highlighted the strategies and achievements of the HPV Cancer Prevention Program in improving vaccination rates in rural areas. Isabel Scarinci, PhD, University of Alabama Birmingham concluded the session with her presentation on "Cervical Cancer Elimination as a Public Health Problem: The Alabama Experience." Scarinci detailed the comprehensive public health strategies being employed in Alabama to eliminate cervical cancer.

For those interested in accessing the presentations and learning more about the speakers, the program details and recordings are now available on the conference website: 2024 National Rural Cancer Control Conference. To view the content, please use the username "2024ruralcancercontrol" and password "CancerControl2024."

Wide Open Spaces: Supporting HPV Vaccination with Rural Communities

Improving HPV Vaccination Coverage in the Last Frontier Takes a Community-Centered Approach

Jessica Quinn, MS, public health specialist at the State of Alaska Department of Health and program director for the Alaska Comprehensive Cancer Control program takes us to the “The Last Frontier” in this month’s Wide Open Spaces article.

In a state without Accountable Care Organizations, Managed Care Organizations, large health systems, or academic medical research centers, many of Alaska’s public health campaigns start and grow through grassroots partnerships and community connections. For over 10 years, the state’s cancer coalition, the Alaska Cancer Partnership, has been convening public health programs, nonprofits, health centers, and advocates to work together for greater reach in efforts to improve HPV vaccination rates across the state.

In 2020, the coalition launched a campaign, Alaska HPV Vaccination Month, to highlight this issue each year. Coalition members worked tirelessly in the months leading up to this campaign to reach and recruit pediatric and primary care clinics to participate as campaign partners by selecting an evidence-based or promising practice to implement in their community to increase HPV vaccination coverage. Activities included creating standing orders in the electronic health record, implementing a client reminder system, developing a clinic policy to start recommending the vaccine at age 9, and many others. The coalition provides tailored resources and support to campaign partner clinics so that they can customize how to reach their community based on capacity and experience.

Read more about this project here.

We invite guest contributors to share information on how they are working to improve HPV vaccination in rural areas. If you are interested in contributing or learning more about our efforts to improve HPV vaccination with rural communities, please email us at PreventHPV@stjude.org.

HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast

The HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast continues to advance its three priority actions: communication, elimination, and starting HPV vaccination at age 9.

The communication group has contracted a communication agency and is on track to launch a regionally focused campaign in January 2025.

The elimination group has launched a survey to explore and better understand the landscape and context of elimination planning in the Southeast. Much more needs to be known about the landscape of elimination planning, practices, and policies in the Southeast. Understanding current and anticipated elimination policy activities will help identify existing gaps and areas of opportunity. You are invited to complete the survey to describe the elimination landscape. The survey deadline has been extended to September 13. Access the survey here.

The elimination group also has two resources available on elimination.

Elimination Fact Sheet: Access detailed information about our elimination efforts, key statistics, and the impact of HPV vaccination. Access here.

Achieving Cervical Cancer Elimination in the Southeast (June 6, 2024) Recording: If you missed the training session, you can watch the full recording to catch up on the latest elimination plans and best practices for HPV cancer elimination. Access here.

The age 9 group is also progressing with health care provider training to underscore the importance of beginning HPV vaccination discussions, recommendations, and administration at age 9. On October 31, they will host a virtual Unity 3Cs training program for health care providers. If you have a recommendation for a provider to join this training, please email PreventHPV@stjude.org.

2024 Cervivor Communities of Color Retreat Recap

Cervivor is dedicated to addressing the longstanding disparities that have affected communities of color for decades to narrow the gap. Studies indicate cervical cancer rates have decreased over time in the U.S., but all people have not benefitted equally and disparities in health care persist. Hispanic women exhibit the highest incidence rate of cervical cancer, followed by non-Hispanic Black women. Moreover, Black women face a higher likelihood of mortality from the disease compared to women of other racial or ethnic backgrounds. During Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month in September, shining a light on these powerful stories strengthens our resolve to work harder to change hearts, minds, and systems in support of HPV cancer prevention – for all.

Cervivor hosted their annual “Cervical Cancer Patient Advocacy Retreat for Communities of Color” event on July 26-28. We are pleased to partner with Cervivor to share personal testimonies from a few of the attendees who described the progress they have made in their survivor journeys.

Linda Hayes

Cancerversary: July 2004

Diagnosis: Cervical Carcinoma in Situ (CIS)

“It’s been a wonderful opportunity. First of all, we have a chance to celebrate being a survivor but also the importance of getting your screening at your recommended age —not just getting screened, it’s important to know when you should be screened. And the most important thing is when you get screened, if any abnormalities show up, please do your follow up. Follow up saves lives! We are Cervivors. We’re not just here for us, we’re here for you!”

National Immunization Conference Recap, August 12-14

Members of the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program participated in the National Immunization Conference from August 12-14 in Atlanta, Georgia. This annual event brings together experts and advocates to discuss advancements and challenges in immunization. The St. Jude HPV team listened and learned and explored new strategies to increase coverage in underserved communities aligned with our program’s mission to prevent HPV cancers. The team also shared information on current initiatives. We presented six posters showcasing our work in HPV cancer prevention:

Convening to Improve HPV Vaccination across the Southeastern U.S.

Local Impact of the Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable on Vaccination Rates

Prioritizing Actions to Improve HPV Vaccination with U.S. Rural Communities

Assessing Community-facing Opportunities to Improve Adolescent HPV Vaccination Rates

The Roles of Roundtables and Coalitions in Catalyzing Collaboration and Impact to Improve HPV Vaccination Coverage

Developing National, Regional, and State Plans for Eliminating HPV Cancers Beginning with Cervical Cancer

Celebrating the Vaccines for Children Program

The Vaccines for Children (VFC) program is celebrating 30 years of preventing diseases in children, families, schools, and communities. Visit this retrospective of the program’s first 30 years here.

A recent report, Health and Economic Benefits of Routine Childhood Vaccinations in the Era of the Vaccines for Children Program — United States, 1994–2023, published in MMWR last month clearly conveys the importance of the VFC program. During the VFC program era, routine childhood vaccinations in the U.S. have been a crucial cost- saving public health strategy. They offer significant health and economic benefits and support health equity. Based on the 2022 CDC Market Share Report, the VFC program significantly helped reduce costs by buying about half of childhood vaccines at discounted prices.

Among children born during 1994–2023, routine childhood vaccinations will have prevented approximately 508 million cases of illness, 32 million hospitalizations, and 1,129,000 deaths, resulting in direct savings of $540 billion and societal savings of $2.7 trillion.

Supported by the VFC program, vaccination coverage has greatly improved U.S. children’s health. This analysis shows that investing in vaccines and vaccination services remains an important cost-saving public health strategy.

Partner Spotlight:

Back-to-School Vaccination Drive: Assessing Community-facing Opportunities to Improve Adolescent HPV Vaccination Rates Through Collaborative Efforts

This month’s partner spotlight highlights a collection of Memphis-area partners that are focused on improving access to vaccinations in our community. We are able to accomplish more by working together to protect our children.

The Memphis and Shelby County Back-to-School Vaccination Drive partnership focuses on making vaccination easy for children across the city through vaccination events – called vaccination drives – during the back-to-school season. Memphis Shelby County Schools is the largest school district in Tennessee and one of the top 25 largest public education systems in the U.S., serving over 106,000 students. The district aims to help reduce barriers for parents when it comes to their children receiving their required and recommended vaccinations for school entry. The planning committee includes representatives from Memphis Shelby County Schools, Shelby County Health Department, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Shot RX, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Latino Memphis, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The partnership was established in 2022 and continued through this year’s back-to-school season.Memphis Shelby County Schools is the largest school district in Tennessee and one of the top 25 largest public education systems in America, serving over 106,000 students. The district aims to help reduce barriers for parents when it comes to their children receiving their required and recommended vaccinations for school entry.

Over the past three years, the planning committee has designed vaccination events to offer all routinely recommended vaccinations, including the HPV vaccination, and school-entry vaccinations for K-12 students in Memphis and Shelby County Schools at no charge to the student and their families. Recent estimates indicate HPV vaccination coverage is much lower compared to other routinely recommended vaccines for adolescents, such as meningitis and whooping cough, in this same age group in Tennessee and Shelby County.

Combined approaches that couple education and same-day HPV vaccination administration in community settings have shown promise for increasing coverage. In the first year (2022), an estimated 500 adolescents received required back-to-school vaccinations, and 118 adolescents who might have otherwise gone unvaccinated received a recommended dose of the HPV vaccine (24% of those who attended and received at least one other vaccination).

In the second year (2023), an estimated 380 adolescents received required back-to-school vaccinations, and 197 adolescents received a recommended dose of the HPV vaccine (52% of those who attended and received at least one other vaccination). There was a significant increase in adolescent HPV vaccination from the first to the second year, which represents additional children protected from HPV cancers in the community.

We look forward to seeing the outcomes of the 2024 events. Many organizations working together in our community are improving vaccination coverage for children, which is a “win-win” proposition all the time.

Partner Activities and Updates

Arkansas

Immunize Arkansas Summit

Immunize Arkansas hosted its annual 2024 Arkansas Immunization Summit on August 9. The summit was attended by vaccination leaders and health care providers from Arkansas and the surrounding region who are dedicated to addressing and improving vaccination issues. The presenters provided valuable information about preparing for the respiratory virus season, making strong provider recommendations, and building trust in vaccination. In addition, the HPV Cancer Prevention team used the intermissions to connect with partners from Arkansas and discuss collaborative efforts to increase HPV vaccination rates in the future.

Louisiana

In Louisiana, recent school communications regarding vaccinations have raised concerns among parents. These communications, influenced by lax (Act 675), passed during the 2024 legislative session, focused on vaccine exemptions and directed parents to opt-out forms rather than emphasizing the importance of vaccinations in preventing illness. The law mandates that any school communication about vaccinations must include specific text that highlights exemptions, potentially downplaying the importance of routine vaccines.

While the law does not prevent schools from promoting essential vaccines or require them to provide opt-out forms, the current focus on exemptions has led to worries that such messaging might reduce school vaccination rates. Parents fear this could increase the risk of disease outbreaks and school disruptions due to preventable illnesses.

In response to these concerns, Louisiana Families for Vaccines has created a toolkit to help parents express their concerns to legislators, local superintendents, and school boards. The emphasis on exemptions rather than the benefits of vaccines could negatively impact HPV vaccination rates by undermining the perceived importance of vaccinations overall. This shift in communication could lead to lower vaccination uptake, increasing the vulnerability of children to HPV and other preventable diseases.

View the Guide to Vaccine Advocacy or request toolkit by contacting Louisiana Families for Vaccines at info@lafamiliesforvaccines.org.

Mississippi

Upcoming MIIX Upgrade to Enhance HPV Vaccination Forecasting for Younger Ages

The Mississippi Immunization Information Exchange (MIIX) vaccination forecast is undergoing an upgrade to more closely align with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations. A major highlight associated with this upgrade is the highly anticipated forecasting of HPV vaccination from age 11 down to age 9. Due to provider reliance on the MIIX vaccination forecast, this change will serve as an additional reminder to providers that they have the option to administer the HPV vaccine prior to age 11. At the very least this forecast upgrade can remind providers to initiate the conversation about the importance of the HPV vaccination to patients and parents earlier. This is a huge upgrade, and it is currently in the testing phase across several states. We are hopeful it will move into production by early fall.

Mississippi HPV Roundtable Meeting

The Mississippi HPV Roundtable meeting was held on August 27 and featured presentations on HPV cancer prevention. Updates were shared on the work of the HPV Vaccination Roundtable of the Southeast, and attendees were encouraged to complete a brief survey on eliminating cervical cancer by September 13. Other highlights included discussions on HPV self-sampling, Mississippi Elimination Plan, the 9-year-old HPV vaccination recommendation in MIIX, and updates from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Additional presentations covered the HPV Learning Collaborative Project by Magnolia Health and the HPV Action Guide for Health Plans, along with other important announcements. To view the full recording of the roundtable on Zoom, use the passcode: K!Z5LpV.

Tennessee

Tennessee Cancer Coalition Annual Statewide Meeting

The Tennessee Cancer Coalition (TC2) is planning to host their annual meeting next spring, and they’re looking for your input to ensure it’s a success. To maximize attendance, they want to know if you would prefer the meeting to be held virtually or in-person. Additionally, they encourage you to invite non-members who might be interested in learning more about their work. Please take a moment to complete this brief questionnaire and share your thoughts!

Memphis and Shelby County, Tennessee

4th Annual Meeting of the Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable

Registration is open for the Fourth Annual Memphis and Shelby County HPV Cancer Prevention Roundtable Meeting taking place on September 24 at the stunning Memphis Botanic Garden. This year's theme, "HPV Vaccination in Full Bloom," beautifully aligns with our venue and our dedicated efforts to promote HPV vaccination. Attendees will enjoy a full day of insightful discussions, with breakfast and lunch provided. Learn about progress made on action items over the past year, updates on HPV vaccination data, and evidence-based and promising programs working to improve HPV cancer prevention. We know we have more work to do, and you are an important contributor.

Registration is open until September 17, so be sure to register here before the deadline.

To learn more about the Roundtable, please visit stjude.org/memphis-roundtable. Read the Memphis.

Keep Summer Cool Event at Le Bonheur General Pediatrics Clinic

The Memphis Roundtable held a "Keep Summer Cool" event on August 8 for the providers and staff at Le Bonheur General Pediatrics. Mempops served a cool summer treat, and we distributed "Keep Summer Cool" postcards to highlight the importance of timely vaccinations. Additionally, the postcards provided guidance on using the Announcement Approach when interacting with patients.

Keep Summer Cool Posters and postcards are still available and being distributed to local providers and clinics! Please contact us at PreventHPV@stjude.org if you would like to receive a printed copy.

Dr. Thedore Lyons Receives Association of Immunization Managers Champion Award

Congratulations to Theodore Lyons II, PharmD, the clinical director of ShotRX, for being named as a AIM 2024 Immunization Champion Award recipient. ShotRX is a pioneering vaccination clinic he founded in 2021 to combat COVID-19 and vaccination hesitancy. Dr. Lyons has delivered over 18,000 COVID vaccinations and 4,000 childhood vaccinations since ShotRx’s inception, while also conducting over 100 educational talks. His commitment to face-to-face community engagement and education stems from his early work in increasing vaccination rates among African American and Hispanic communities, a principle he continues to champion today.

Dr. Lyons promotes and provides childhood vaccinations and is a champion for HPV vaccinations as a member of the Memphis Roundtable, and he also is now the sole participant in health care for the homeless in Shelby County.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Lyons on this well-deserved award.

Additional Partner Updates

American Cancer Society HPV Vaccination Impact Report 2023- 2024

The American Cancer Society released the 2023-2024 HPV Vaccination Impact Report at the end of July. The annual report highlights its most recent efforts to continue working with our partners to end HPV cancers for everyone. Raising HPV vaccination rates to be on par with tetanus, diphtheria, and meningococcal vaccines can move us toward herd immunity and reduce suffering from a disease we can help eliminate.

Georgia HPV Cancer Free Workgroup: HPV Clinical Insights from Awareness to Action, September 10-11

The Georgia HPV Cancer Free workgroup is hosting, an HPV awareness lunch and learn webinar on September 10 and a vaccination event on September 11.

This lunch and learn webinar will be held on September 10, from 11 a.m.-noon Central Time. The webinar will cover the following topics: disease and epidemiology updates, vaccine updates and new data, and proven strategies to prioritize and improve HPV vaccination rates, including addressing vaccine hesitancy. Continuing education credits will be available. Register here.

The in-person educational event at Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia will be held on September 11 from 10 a.m.-noon Central Time, and the event will feature experts in the field to provide valuable insights. The event will include free boxed lunch, free HPV vaccine, and more. Learn about HPV and sign up to get the HPV vaccine here.

2025 National HPV Conference: Abstracts due September 15

The 2025 National HPV Conference on April 15-17, 2025, will bring together professionals from all HPV disciplines and backgrounds to work towards eliminating HPV cancers. This conference is for advocates, community health workers, clinical professionals, policy, health educators, and more. Sign up here to be notified when registration opens. The call for abstracts for the inaugural National HPV Conference is now live and details are available on the website. Submit your abstracts by 7 p.m. Central Time on September 15. Both poster and oral presentations are being accepted.

ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable Annual Meeting, October 7-11

Help the ACS National HPV Vaccination Roundtable celebrate its 10-year birthday by participating in the annual meeting under the theme “Celebrate & Innovate: 10 Years.” The virtual meeting will be held daily on October 7-11 from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Central Time. Join the National Roundtable, members, and supporters for the virtual party to toast 10 years of progress, achievements, and memories and look forward to the opportunities on the horizon. Register here.

Unity Consortium FACTSinnated podcast “Enough: Because We Can Stop Cervical Cancer”

Unity Consortium collaborates with individuals and organizations to deliver on the most difficult barriers to adolescent and young adult vaccination. The interns at Unity explore misconceptions surrounding adolescent and young adult vaccines. In each podcast episode, they dive into commonly held misconceptions with experts in the field to explore the issues and de-bunk the myths.

Unity’s vaccine myth-busting podcast presents, FACTSinnated, featuring Dr. Linda Eckert, a professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Adjunct Professor in Global Health, and author of Enough: Because We Can Stop Cervical Cancer, as she discusses the relationship between cancer and HPV vaccination.

Listen here.

Team Question

Positive Thinking Day is September 13. Research shows that positive thinking can reduce stress, improve problem solving skills, increase confidence and improve one’s health. Members of the St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program team took time to reflect on a time when they achieved a personal goal and shared the individual qualities that contributed to their success.

“I remember accepting my first college, summer internship – University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Admissions Office. As a freshman, my goal was to participate in a competitive program that continued to ignite my interest and expand my knowledge in health care, despite the many upperclassmen, who had the seniority advantage. By trusting my skills, networking with professors, willingness to grow, and remaining focused on the end goal, I was accepted into the position in summer 2022. This experience changed my life by later opening doors into the Baptist Summer Scholars Program and St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program.” – Shanteise Bonds, student assistant

“A goal that I started to dream up almost 10 years ago was to pursue a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree at my dream school. My life changed many times between then and now, and my dream was deferred more times than I can count. A personal promise that I've made to my family is that I will finish anything I start that takes time away from them. If I say I'm going to do something and put my family's time and resources toward it, then I do it. I am extremely proud that I am moving into the final phase of my program and will soon realize my dream.” - Julia Brown, program manager

“Reflecting on a past internship at the Knox County Criminal Clerk's office, I can see how positive thinking played a crucial role in helping me achieve success despite the challenges. Balancing a nineteen-hour course load, a part-time job, and the demands of the internship were overwhelming at times. However, I stayed focused on the end goal of completing my sociology capstone and the long-term benefits this experience would bring. My ability to stay organized, maintain a positive attitude, and believe in my capacity to manage all these responsibilities contributed significantly to my success.” – Penelope Burns, student assistant

“I remember winning my first pageant, Miss Essence 2011, in college. During the preparation, I was nervous about competing in front of a large audience. I started speaking positive affirmations over my life every day, which gave me the confidence I needed for my voice and platform to be heard. It all begins with believing in yourself, and that will lead others to believe in you too.” – Portia Knowlton, program coordinator

“I grew up in a rural part of Nepal, where pursuing higher education was challenging due to limited opportunities. Despite these challenges, my passion and determination for higher education motivated me to move to the United States. As a graduate student, I remained focused and took advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow, and I successfully earned the Doctor of Public Health degree. Now, as a postdoctoral fellow, I continue working towards my career goal of becoming an independent investigator. Reflecting on my journey, I believe my passion, determination, as well as continuous support from my mentors and family members were the key factors that made it possible.” - Pragya Gautam Poudel, postdoctoral fellow

“When I gave birth to my first son, everyone told me to read to him daily. I am an avid reader, and I desired for my son to love reading. So, I decided that consistency was key, every night at bedtime my husband and I would read to my son, and when he reached the age of 2, he began to take on his own interests in certain books, by the age of 3 he started reading on his own. Now, at age 4, he loves reading everything, and I am so proud that we instilled that habit early. I hope his love for reading sticks with him for a lifetime because reading is a gateway to learning.” - Karlisa Cryer, medical content writer

“A goal I’ve achieved is being part of this organization for 20 years. Persistence and resilience helped me continue to strive and serve.” - Ursula Leflore, administrative specialist

“As a 45-year-old non-traditional college student, I never imagined that pursuing a bachelor's degree in Community Health would lead me here—working with the HPV Cancer Prevention team at St. Jude. The journey was filled with fear, doubt, and moments when my resolve wavered. But thanks to the support of those who believed in me and reminded me that it's okay to be scared, I persisted. My guiding mantra, 'Nevertheless, she persisted’ kept me going. Today, I celebrate the power of positive thinking and perseverance.” – Lori Lindgren, program coordinator

“Reflecting on my successful completion of the Music City Half Marathon a second time, I’m proud of how my determination and positive thinking played a crucial role in my achievement. After failing to train on my first attempt, I not only finished the race an hour faster but also benefited from the support and shared mantra ofgrfgaergaewrgaergaergty4t5yhw45t6hyw45tgy6 my friends, "we can do hard things," which helped boost my confidence and resilience throughout the journey.” – Andrea Stubbs, administrative director

“Earning my master’s degree in public health in 2020 was a significant milestone for me. After graduating with my bachelor’s in 2016, I didn’t initially plan to continue my education. However, once I entered the workforce, I realized the value of furthering my skills. Taking that step to pursue my education has been instrumental in bringing me to where I am today.” – Akeria Taylor, program coordinator

“Before college, I wasn't strong in mathematics, but through perseverance, discipline, and curiosity, I dedicated long hours to studying and practicing. This effort led to excelling in my courses and earning an assistantship position, where I shared my newfound passion for mathematics with other students.” – Cristóbal Valdebenito, program coordinator

“I think positive thinking is an important part of personal growth. I take time to reflect on triggers and cues that push me to dwell on the negative rather than the positive. Then, I determine a course of action to remain committed to my goals.” - Heather Brandt, director

Get Free St. Jude HPV Education Materials

The St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program has created a series of HPV fact sheets that emphasize basic information about HPV vaccination and include action steps to prevent HPV cancers.

Four versions of the fact sheets target various audiences:

General public
Parents

Health care providers

Cancer patients and families

 
Select the versions in English or Spanish most appropriate for those you serve. Download the fact sheets or email PreventHPV@stjude.org to have copies mailed to you.

About St. Jude HPV Cancer Prevention Program

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. That’s why St. Jude is raising awareness on vaccination for human papillomavirus (HPV), which can prevent six types of cancer caused by the virus. As the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center dedicated solely to children, St. Jude has an important role and responsibility in increasing the number of children who benefit from the HPV vaccine and reducing their risk of preventable cancers later in life.

On-time HPV vaccination provides safe, effective, and long-lasting protection against the most common types of HPV linked to cancers. The vaccine is most effective when started at age 9 and completed by the 13th birthday, but it’s recommended for everyone through age 26 and for some people through age 45.

HPV vaccination has been routinely recommended by health care professionals in the U.S. since 2006. Most children can receive an HPV vaccine at no cost, and it can be administered safely along with other routine vaccinations. With more than 500 million doses administered worldwide, HPV vaccines are preventing new cases of cancer every day.

It’s not too late to help protect your child against HPV cancers later in life - learn more at stjude.org/PreventHPV and ask your doctor about HPV vaccination today. Email PreventHPV@stjude.org with any questions.