BACKGROUND: We assessed human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine effectiveness (VE) against anal HPV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 2018-2023. METHODS: Residual anal specimens from MSM without HIV aged 18-45 years were tested for HPV. We calculated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between vaccination (≥1 dose) and quadrivalent vaccine (4vHPV)-type prevalence adjusting for city, race/ethnicity, and nonvaccine-type HPV prevalence, stratified by age group (18-26, 27-45 years). VE was calculated as (1 - aPR) × 100. RESULTS: Among 2802 persons aged 18-26, 4vHPV-type prevalence was lower in those vaccinated at age <18 (aPR = 0.13; 95% CI, .08-.22; VE = 87%) and those vaccinated ≥2 years before specimen collection (aPR = 0.52; 95% CI, .42-.64; VE = 48%) compared with unvaccinated persons. Among 3548 persons aged 27-45, 4vHPV-type prevalence was lower in those vaccinated at ages 18-26 (aPR = 0.68; 95% CI, .57-.82; VE = 32%) and those vaccinated ≥2 years before specimen collection (aPR = 0.66; 95% CI, .57-.77; VE = 33%) compared with unvaccinated persons. While we observed no VE in persons vaccinated at age >26 overall, 4vHPV-type prevalence was lower in the subgroup vaccinated ≥2 years before specimen collection (aPR = 0.71; 95% CI, .56-.89; VE = 29%). CONCLUSIONS: We found high VE against anal 4vHPV-type prevalence among MSM aged 18-26 who were vaccinated at age <18. Lower VE was observed among MSM aged 27-45 who were vaccinated at age 18-26 or ≥2 years before specimen collection. While ideally vaccination should be given at younger ages, vaccination can prevent some future infections in this population.

BACKGROUND: Among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW), the dynamics of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections at different anatomical sites are not well understood. Information on HPV concordance between anatomic sites can inform the extent of autoinoculation, and susceptibility of different anatomic areas to HPV infection. We described and assessed correlates of HPV concordance across anal, oral, and genital samples. METHODS: We enrolled 1876 MSM and TGW aged 18 to 26 years in 3 US cities. Oral, genital, and anal samples were self-collected for type-specific HPV DNA testing (37 types). Demographics, sexual behaviors, and health history were self-reported. Kappa statistics based on percent positive agreement (kappa+) and generalized estimating equations were used to describe and identify correlates of HPV type-specific concordance between anatomic sample pairs. RESULTS: Any HPV was detected in 69.9%, 48.6%, and 7.4% of anal, genital, and oral samples, respectively. Detection of any HPV (concurrence) was most common in anal-genital pairs (40.9%) and uncommon in oral-genital and oral-anal pairs (3.4% and 6.5% respectively). Type-specific concordance was poor across all sample pairs (kappa+ <0.20). Younger age and older age at first sex were positively associated with type-concordant anal-genital infections. Sexual behaviors were unassociated with concordance. CONCLUSIONS: Poor oral/anogenital concordance suggests the oral mucosa has different susceptibility to HPV infection, differential clearance and/or autoinoculation between oral and anogenital sites is unlikely. There was some observed concurrence and concordance between anal and genital sites, unassociated with sexual behavior, suggesting autoinoculation. Longitudinal studies are necessary to further elucidate mechanisms of multisite infections.

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women are disproportionately affected by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV vaccination is routinely recommended for U.S. adolescents at age 11-12 years, with catch-up vaccination through age 26 years. We assessed HPV vaccination coverage and associated factors among young MSM and transgender women. The Vaccine Impact in Men study enrolled MSM aged 18-26 years from clinics in Seattle, Chicago, and Los Angeles, during February 2016-September 2018. Participants self-reported socio-demographic information and HPV vaccination status. Among 1416 participants, 673 (47.5%) reported ≥1 HPV vaccine dose. Among vaccinated participants, median age at first dose was 19 years and median age at first sex was 17 years; 493 (73.3%) reported that their age at first dose was older than their age at first sex. There were significant differences in HPV vaccination coverage by city (range 33%-62%), age, race/ethnicity, and gender identity. Coverage was highest in Seattle, where younger age was the only factor associated with vaccination. Differences in coverage by city may be due to variation in vaccination practices or enrollment at study sites. Increasing both routine and catch-up vaccination will improve coverage among MSM and transgender women.

From 2016 to 2019, the National Cancer Institute and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded three Special Interest Projects focused on developing and testing multilevel HPV vaccination communication interventions. In this commentary, we highlight lessons learned from the funded projects, including the importance of engaging community members in the early stages of the research process, the challenges of evaluating multilevel interventions, and the need to consider stakeholder implementation preferences.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, HPV vaccination has been recommended since 2011 for males aged 11-12 years, with catch-up vaccination recommended through age 26 years for previously unvaccinated men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS: During 2016-2018, a cross-sectional study enrolled MSM and transgender women aged 18-26 years in Seattle, Washington. Participants submitted self-collected penile swab specimens for HPV genotyping. HPV vaccination history was self-reported. We compared HPV prevalence among vaccinated participants versus participants with no/unknown vaccination history using log-binomial regression to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Among 687 participants, 348 (50.7%) self-reported ever receiving ≥1 HPV vaccine dose; median age at first HPV vaccination was 21 years and median age at first sex was 17 years. Overall, prevalence of penile quadrivalent HPV vaccine (4vHPV)-type HPV was similar in vaccinated participants (12.1%) and participants with no/unknown vaccination (15.6%) (aPR=0.69, 95%CI:0.47-1.01). However, prevalence was significantly lower in participants vaccinated at age ≤18 years than in participants with no/unknown vaccination (aPR=0.15, 95%CI:0.04-0.62), corresponding to a vaccine effectiveness of 85% against 4vHPV-type HPV. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest HPV vaccination is effective in preventing penile HPV infections in young MSM when administered at age ≤18 years.

BACKGROUND: We assessed sensitivity of self-reported HPV vaccination among young adult men who have sex with men (MSM) with documented HPV vaccination. METHODS: During 2016-2018, MSM and transgender women aged 18-26 years were enrolled in Seattle, Washington. HPV vaccination history was assessed via self-administered survey, clinic electronic medical records (EMR), and the Washington State Immunization Information System (WAIIS). We assessed self-report sensitivity among participants with documented prior HPV vaccination (≥1 dose) in either the EMR or WAIIS, and used logistic regression to compare sensitivity by age, number of doses, and time since first dose. RESULTS: Of 292 participants with ≥1 documented HPV vaccine dose, 243 self-reported ≥1 dose (sensitivity = 83.2%,95%CI:78.4%-87.3%). Compared to participants whose first dose was <1 year ago, likelihood of self-report was lower among those with ≥3 years since first dose (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.2,95%CI:0.1-0.5). Furthermore, compared to participants with only 1 documented HPV vaccine dose, likelihood of self-reporting ≥1 dose was higher among those with 2 (aOR = 2.4,95%CI:1.0-5.5) or ≥ 3 doses (aOR = 6.2,95%CI:2.7-14.4). Among 115 participants with ≥3 documented doses, sensitivity for recalling ≥3 doses was 69.6% (95%CI:60.3%-77.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Most young adult MSM with a documented history of HPV vaccination self-reported prior HPV vaccination. Although recall was highest in those with ≥3 doses, 30% of this fully-vaccinated subgroup did not correctly recall the number of doses received, highlighting limitations of self-reporting. Furthermore, results indicating reduced recall with ≥3 years since first dose suggest that sensitivity of self-report among young adult MSM may decline over time as adolescent vaccination coverage increases.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has been recommended for young adult men who have sex with men (MSM) since 2011. METHODS: The Vaccine Impact in Men (VIM) study surveyed MSM and transgender women aged 18-26 years in 3 U.S. cities during 2016-2018. Self-collected anal swab and oral rinse specimens were assessed for 37 types of HPV DNA. We compared HPV prevalence among vaccinated and unvaccinated participants and determined adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Among 1,767 participants, 704 (39.8%) self-reported receiving HPV vaccine. Median age at vaccination (18.7 years) was older than age at first sex (15.7 years). Quadrivalent vaccine-type HPV was detected in anal or oral specimens from 475 (26.9%) participants. Vaccine-type HPV prevalence was lower among vaccinated (22.9%) compared with unvaccinated (31.6%) participants; aPR for those who initiated vaccination at </=18 years was 0.41 (95% CI: 0.24-0.57) and at >18 years was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.67-0.98). Vaccine effectiveness for at least one HPV vaccine dose at age >/=18 years or >18 years was 59% and 18%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest real-world effectiveness of HPV vaccination among young adult MSM. This effect was stronger with younger age at vaccination.