During a press conference on Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics announced that HPV vaccinate rates did not increase from 2011 to 2012 in girls ages 13 to 17. According to data, three dose coverage saw a slight decline during that time frame.

An article in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report drew this information from data collected from the 2012 National Immunization Survey Teen.

Data showed that among girls who did not receive the vaccine, 84 percent had healthcare visits where another type of vaccine was administered. If the HPV vaccine had been administered during those times, 1 dose coverage would have been 93 percent rather than 54 percent.

“Progress increasing HPV vaccination has stalled, risking the health of the next generation,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden M.D., M.P.H. “Doctors need to step up their efforts by talking to parents about the importance of HPV vaccine just as they do other vaccines and ensure its given at every opportunity.”

According to the CDC, every year that 3 dose coverage of the vaccine stays near its current level of 33 percent instead of the Healthy People 2020 goal of 80 percent, an additional 4400 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 1400 deaths attributed to cervical cancer will occur.

The 2012 NIS Teen data showed that not receiving a recommendation from a healthcare provider was one of the top 5 reasons parents reported for not getting the vaccine. Other responses reported by parents show a gap in understanding, including why it is recommend for children ages 11 and 12.

“Parents need reassurance that HPV vaccine is recommended at 11 or 12 because it should be given well in advance of any sexual activity,” said Dr. Frieden. “We don’t wait for exposure to occur before we vaccinate with any other routinely recommended vaccine.”

Parents also reported safety concerns as a reason for not vaccinating. During the seven years of vaccine safety monitoring and evaluation conducted by federal agencies and vaccine manufacturers, no serious safety concerns have ever been identified.

The Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) has decreased from 2008 to 2012. The number of serious adverse events reported have also declined since 2009.

About 79 million Americans are currently infected with HPV. About 14 million new people become infected every year. It is so common that almost all sexually active men and women will contract at least one type of HPV during their lifetime.

The HPV vaccine is an anti-cancer vaccine. Young adults relay on their parents to make the decision to provide them with protection from the infection. Thanks to the Affordable Care act, most private insurance plans must now cover the vaccine with no co-pays or deductibles included.