Routine Vaccination Coverage in an Adolescent Transgender Population in a Large Tertiary Care Center in the United States

Teaghen Buscemi-Kimmins; Karen L Teelin; Nicole M Mozo; Jana Shaw

doi:10.1016/j.pedhc.2023.11.014

Routine Vaccination Coverage in an Adolescent Transgender Population in a Large Tertiary Care Center in the United States

J Pediatr Health Care. 2024 Jan 20:S0891-5245(23)00354-1. doi: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2023.11.014. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Teaghen Buscemi-Kimmins, Karen L Teelin, Nicole M Mozo, Jana Shaw

PMID: 38260925
DOI: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2023.11.014

Abstract

Introduction: To address healthcare disparities among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents, we examined vaccination coverage in those receiving gender-affirming care.

Method: Our study analyzed de-identified data (2013-2022) from a tertiary care clinic. Comparing vaccination rates of 203 TGD adolescent patients to age-matched peers in New York State using CDC National Immunization Survey-Teen data.

Results: We found TGD patients had similar vaccination coverage to the general adolescent population. Notably, TGD patients had significantly higher up-to-date human papillomavirus vaccination coverage (76.4%, CI=69.9, 82.0) than the NYS adolescent population (60.5%, CI=53.0, 67.5).

Discussion: This suggests TGD adolescents at gender-affirming clinics maintain or exceed vaccination rates of their cisgender counterparts. Future research should explore vaccination rates for TGD individuals without access to gender-affirming care.

Keywords: Transgender and gender diverse community; adolescent; gender-affirming care; immunization registry; vaccination coverage.