Recovery of measles-containing and HPV vaccine ordering post-COVID-19 pandemic: Trends by public vs. private funding source, urbanicity, and state - United States, January 2018 - December 2022

OBJECTIVE

To assess recovery in childhood and adolescent vaccine ordering since initial declines in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions.

METHODS

Using vaccine ordering data provided by Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, the number of measles-containing vaccine doses ordered each month in the U.S. during January 1, 2020-May 31, 2022 were compared to doses ordered during the corresponding month in 2018 and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine doses ordered during January 1, 2020-December 31, 2022 were compared to corresponding month in 2019. Differences stratified by public vs. private funding source and state and urbanicity of the county where the provider is located were examined.

RESULTS

The cumulative deficit for measles-containing vaccines was 1,314,179 doses (-5.7%) as of May 2022 and 3,911,020 doses (-13.6%) for HPV vaccine as of December 2022. Deficits in publicly funded doses and HPV doses ordered in rural counties were greater than deficits in privately funded doses and HPV doses ordered in urban counties.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings show that monthly measles-containing and HPV vaccine ordering has recovered; however, deficits remain. Greater deficits in publicly funded vaccine doses and HPV ordering in rural counties suggest varying level of recovery. To reduce gaps in deficits, health care providers are strongly encouraged to use every visit to recommend needed vaccines.