The proportion of males and females initiating human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination at the recommended ages was low, according to a recent study that examined vaccine uptake in adolescents and young adults. Although more females than males were vaccinated in all cohorts, the male-female differences were smaller in younger than older cohorts. Researchers analyzed data on persons aged 11–26 years on December 31, 2014 (916,513 females, 951,082 males). Individuals were grouped based on their age in 2014: 11–12, 13–14, 15–16, 17–18, 19–21, and 22–26. They found:

• In females, the proportion initiating vaccination at age 11–12 years was low in 2008 and 2010 (12.6% and 11.1%) and higher in 2012 (15.7%) and 2014 (19.5%); in males, initiation at age 11–12 was 0.9% in 2010, 8.3% in 2012, and 15.1% in 2014.
• In females who aged into vaccine eligibility, cumulative coverage by 2014 was higher in older cohorts.
• For males, cumulative coverage by 2014 was similar in those aged 13–14, 15–16, and 17–18 years, and lower in those aged 11–12, 19–21, and 22–26 years.