Through this cooperative agreement, the AAP is implementing its Hub-and-Spoke model of improvement to build sustainable peer-to-peer and QI networks through which to disseminate professional education and tools designed to aid pediatricians and their office staff to:
(1) consistently make strong HPV vaccine recommendations,
(2) effectively address parental questions, and
(3) implement HPV vaccination-related QI efforts (eg, decrease missed opportunities, use reminder-recall).
To further improve HPV vaccination rates and enhance the national reach to pediatricians, the AAP is working to form sustainable external partnerships and increase prioritization of HPV vaccination internally. More specifically, activities within the cooperative agreement are organized into the following four overarching strategies:
- Provide outreach and training to pediatric offices on immunization delivery issues.
- Disseminate immunization educational materials to pediatricians.
- Form strong partnerships to complement AAP expertise on immunization delivery topics, enhance spread of common messages, and avoid duplication of effort.
- Prioritize HPV vaccination efforts within the AAP structure.
By implementing effective activities within each of these four strategies, the AAP seeks to achieve the following outcomes:
- Increase in providers making a strong HPV vaccination recommendation
- Increase in pediatrician knowledge of HPV vaccine
- Increase in opportunities for clinician education and QI around immunizations
- Increase in local/regional efforts aimed at promoting a strong provider recommendation for immunizations
- Greater alignment of organizational and partners strategies for HPV vaccination
- Increase in HPV vaccination rates in the office setting
Overall, activities through the Hub and Spoke Initiative Focused on Improving HPV Vaccination Rates will lead to AAP districts and chapters being prepared to effectively improve immunization rates, whether independently or through state level partnerships; positioning the AAP as a key voice, leader, and partner in promotion of HPV vaccination; and greater expansion of collaborations with cooperative agreement partners and other organizations.
For a two-page project overview, click here.