Abstract 4981: Implementation of a community-based HPV vaccination intervention supported by a cross-sector community coalition
Authors: Ruth Rechis, Haley Gardiner, Mayra Aquino, Katherine Oestman, Efrat Gabay, Paula Cuccaro
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

Abstract Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is a successful strategy to prevent HPV related infection and cancer. However, vaccination uptake remains suboptimal in the U.S., with Texas having the largest number of unvaccinated adolescents. Be Well Communities™, MD Anderson’s place-based approach for cancer prevention and control, works with communities to promote wellness and address modifiable cancer risk factors. Initially, the initiative in Baytown, TX focused on healthy eating and active living interventions. Over time, the community’s trust and interests expanded to more traditional cancer prevention interventions (e.g., HPV vaccination, screening). In this project, UTHealth Houston’s All for Them (AFT) program was funded for three years to work with Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District (GCCISD) to reduce adolescent vaccination barriers by providing community-based mobile vaccination clinics. GCCISD’s students are 90% minority and 56% economically disadvantaged. The Be Well Communities team facilitated the relationship and supported GCCISD staff to ensure optimal implementation, assisted with mobile clinic site location, and provided educational sessions at Steering Committee meetings, of which the AFT team was a steadfast member. AFT included development and implementation of an educational messaging campaign for adolescents and their parents, school nurse continuing education to improve HPV vaccination knowledge, confidence in talking with parents about vaccination and data recordkeeping, and mobile vaccination clinics at school- and community-based venues. Program strategies resulted in increased parental engagement and trust of the team and project, improved parental acceptance of HPV vaccination, and excellent feedback from GCCISD staff about services provided. School nurses (n=31) participated in multiple professional development and training opportunities. HPV vaccines (n=1, 154) were provided at 57 vaccination clinics. The number of students in GCCISD who received vaccines at multiple clinics was 37% higher than the largest school district in which AFT intervenes (outside of this initiative). With two years of available data, HPV vaccination rates increased 16.9 percentage points (46.3%) in initiation and 11.1 percentage points (77.1%) in completion among students in the participating schools. Due to their active participation on the Steering Committee, the AFT team formed relationships with all 21 organizations and fostered formal partnerships with 4 organizations. The relationships developed through participation with the Steering Committee built community collaborations in Baytown and facilitated alternative ways to bring awareness to and host vaccination-related education and activities. The project’s success led to additional grant funding and sustained partnerships. Citation Format: Ruth Rechis, Haley Gardiner, Mayra Aquino, Katherine Oestman, Efrat Gabay, Paula Cuccaro. Implementation of a community-based HPV vaccination intervention supported by a cross-sector community coalition [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 4981.