Prolific Vaccination Researcher Visits as Spring 2025 Matsuda Distinguished Lecturer
Gregory Zimet, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics & Psychiatry at Indiana University School of Medicine and founder of Zimet Research Consulting LLC, recently shared insights from his decades of research on vaccines and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Featured as the Spring 2025 Francis A. Matsuda distinguished lecturer for the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, his discussion covered the evolution of HPV vaccination research, policy recommendations and efforts to improve vaccination rates.
Dr. Zimet traced his early interest in vaccine research back to the 1990s, including a pivotal study on HPV funded by Merck, which led to a key publication in 2000. Since then, he has published more than 240 vaccine-related research papers covering topics such as behavioral, social and policy-based determinants of vaccination through collaborations across the U.S. and globally.
Despite the national Healthy People 2030 goal of 80% HPV series completion, current rates of dose completion (2-3 doses based on age of initiation) remain barely above 60%. Dr. Zimet discussed a potential change that is being discussed by national leaders including the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to routinely recommend starting vaccination at age 9 rather than the current recommendation for starting at age 11-12. He dissected the reasoning for making the potential change, pointing to scientific findings for each, acknowledging existing challenges and uncertainties while also emphasizing potential benefits of recommending vaccination at a younger age like and higher completion rates by age 13 years.
Parental Preferences: Dr. Zimet discussed a study on parental preferences related to changing the age of routine HPV vaccination that he conducted with Associate Dean for Research Holly Fontenot, with whom he has been collaborating for more than a decade. The study found that most parents preferred the current ACIP vaccination schedule, with fewer supporting earlier HPV vaccination at age 9. However, the parental preferences varied by prior HPV vaccine decision making for older siblings; therefore the idea of expanding the targeted ages for routine HPV vaccination to 9-12 years may be more beneficial in ensuring the widest acceptance of vaccination as part of the structured early adolescent v immunization schedule.
One-Dose Vaccinations: Dr. Zimet also addressed recent findings on single-dose HPV vaccination, which is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). Research suggests that a single dose offers strong protection for several years, with ongoing trials assessing long-term efficacy. If confirmed, this approach could simplify the vaccination process and improve access, particularly in underserved areas. With 77% of individuals already receiving at least one dose—just shy of the Healthy People 2030 goal—this shift could be a game-changer for public health, according to Zimet.
Dr. Zimet’s presentation underscored the importance of data-driven strategies to enhance HPV vaccine uptake and public health outcomes. The lecture was offered as part of the Frances A. Matsuda distinguished lecture series. Dr. Fontenot serves as the Frances A. Matsuda Chair in Women’s Health for the School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene.