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HPV Vaccine Gaps: 12% of Teens Unprotected Before Sex

3/18/2026

50 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A study by Jenssen and colleagues examined HPV vaccination rates among adolescents aged 13 to 18 in a large primary care network.
They found that 12% of sexually active teens had not received HPV vaccine before sexual debut, and 9% had not completed the series.
Unvaccinated teens were predominantly non-Hispanic white (49%) and commercially insured (59%).
Barriers included vaccine hesitancy and delayed decision-making.

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Story summary

A study by Jenssen and colleagues examined HPV vaccination rates among adolescents aged 13 to 18 in a large primary care network.
They found that 12% of sexually active teens had not received HPV vaccine before sexual debut, and 9% had not completed the series.
Unvaccinated teens were predominantly non-Hispanic white (49%) and commercially insured (59%).
Barriers included vaccine hesitancy and delayed decision-making.