Closing the Gap in Vaccine Protection: A Quality Improvement Project on HPV and Hepatitis B

In a study published in the Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice, researchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center implemented a quality improvement project aimed at identifying college students who lack protection against vaccine-preventable infections, particularly human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B (HepB). The project, conducted in 2023, used an electronic health record (EHR) system at a university health clinic to track students' vaccination status and provide education and vaccinations on campus.

Key Takeaways:

• The project found that 72% of students had documented protection against HepB, while only 55% had protection against HPV.
• Students who began the HPV series after age 14 had an incomplete HPV series compared to those who started the series at a younger age.
• The EHR system with patient portal operability for vaccine upload and screening supported the identification of students who lacked protection against vaccine-preventable infections.
• Nurses must advocate for the inclusion of vaccination status review in sexual health risk screening processes to close the gap in protection against HPV and HepB.
• The study highlights the importance of educating and vaccinating college students against HPV and HepB, particularly those who delay vaccination series initiation.
• The project's findings suggest that electronic health record systems can be an effective tool in identifying and addressing vaccine-preventable infections in college students.
• The University of Nebraska Medical Center researchers underscore the need for healthcare providers to prioritize HPV and HepB vaccination education and screening in college health settings.

Statistics:

• 72% of students had documented protection against HepB, while 55% had protection against HPV.
• 17% of students who had their first dose of HPV vaccination 14 years ago had an incomplete HPV series.
• 2023: The year the quality improvement project was implemented.

Sources:

• Bronstein, B. A Quality Improvement Project Targeting Vaccine-Preventable Sexually Transmitted Infections in College Students Using an Electronic Health Record System. Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice, 2025.
• NewsRx. Reports from University of Nebraska Medical Center Describe Recent Advances in Human Papillomavirus Vaccines (A Quality Improvement Project Targeting Vaccine-Preventable Sexually Transmitted Infections in College Students Using an Electronic ...). Vaccine Weekly. October 15, 2025; p 798.