HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Taskforce
Taskforce Mission
The HPV Taskforce work focuses on preventing HPV infections in young Vermonters (Goal 4 in the Vermont Cancer Plan). Recent activities include: Beginning at Age 9 Learning Opportunity (see below) and creating two HPV call-to-action letters encouraging providers to recommend HPV vaccinations starting at age 9. There is one letter focused on health care providers and one for dental health care providers. You can learn more here.
Why an HPV Taskforce?
Meeting Information
HPV is a very common virus that almost everyone will have at some point in their lives. HPV infection can cause several types of cancer, including cancers of the head/neck and cervix. HPV can cause cancer in both men and women. Among Vermonters, the most common cancer caused by HPV is head and neck cancer. Head and neck cancer is the most common in Vermont men (VCR, 2001-2015).
The HPV vaccine prevents cancer. All children should get the vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective. For more information on HPV, the vaccine and HPV-related cancers, visit https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/index.html.
This group is determining its regular schedule for 2025 but the next meeting will be held on March 6 at noon.
If you’d like to learn more or attend these meetings, please email Hanna Snyder at coordinator@vtaac.org.
Recent Educational Opportunities
Beginning at Age 9: Evidence for Earlier Initiation of HPV Vaccination
Listen to the recording from the January 24,2025 learning opportunity for an informative discussion, led by Dr. Grace Ryan of UMass Chan, designed to equip healthcare professionals and community members with the latest evidence for starting HPV vaccination at age 9.
Is there a difference in immune response or efficacy when starting HPV vaccination at age 9 versus age 11? What are the practical benefits of initiating HPV vaccination at age 9? Tune into the recording to learn more.
CEUs offered. Scan the QR code at the end of the session to fill out the survey to receive your CE award.
Team Maureen School Nurse HPV Training
HPV-Related Cancer Prevention for School Nurses: Helpful information and tools for people already doing way too much. Team Maureen’s mission is to end cervical cancer by education about the HPV-Cancer connection and importance of prevention and early detection. Objectives: Overview of HPV, HPV-related cancer burden, and HPV vaccination.
CEs offered. Please email Amy Deavitt, American Cancer Society, at Amy.Deavitt@cancer.org to access the recording.
Recent Meeting Materials
September 18, 2024 Meeting
*December 2024 meeting cancelled due to scheduling conflicts
- Meeting Recording (Password: hpvtaskforce1!)
- Meeting Minutes
- Cancer Plan Status Report Review and HPV EBIs (Presentation by Sharon Malory)
- Recruitment and Engagement Activity Miro Board
- Progress Tracking Tool
HPV Taskforce Co-Chairs
Leigh Sampson
Associate Director, State Partnerships, American Cancer Society
VTAAC gives partners the opportunity to share information and collaborate on statewide projects. I’ve made new partners, launched interesting projects, and learned new things from my involvement in VTAAC with the shared goal of reducing the cancer burden in Vermont.
Matt Dugan, MA
Public Health Communication Specialist, Northern New England Clinical Translational Research Network, Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont
Everyone knows someone who’s been affected by cancer. And every one of us has skills that can contribute to the greater effort to help prevent it, inform about it, treat it, or help destigmatize it so that we can take away its power and put it back where it belongs, with people.