Sanford Health Earns Recognition From American Cancer Society For Exceptional HPV Vaccination Rates

Sanford Health has been nationally recognized by the American Cancer Society and National HPV Vaccination Roundtable for its efforts in getting kids ages 9-and-up the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The Age Nine Champion Award denotes Sanford’s commitment to increasing vaccination rates across its footprint.

Ideally, boys and girls receive the HPV vaccine between ages 9 and 12, before they’re exposed to the virus. Sanford Health promotes HPV vaccination as part of annual well child visits. HPV vaccination provides safe, effective and long-lasting protection against cancers caused by HPV.

“By implementing a program to start vaccinations at age nine throughout our system, we are offering our patients the best protection against HPV caused cancers as they age. The HPV vaccine works best when we give it to younger children before they are exposed to HPV,” said Andrea Polkinghorn, lead immunization strategist at Sanford Health. “85 percent of people will get an HPV infection in their lifetime, so the childhood vaccine is an important step toward staying protected and preventing future cancers. Sanford is proud to start the conversation about prevention tools, helping families make an informed choice to vaccinate.”

The American Cancer Society and National HPV Vaccination Roundtable champions the efforts of health systems across the nation to raise HPV vaccination rates and prevent future cancers.

For more information about the HPV vaccine, visit sanfordhealth.org.