More teens in Colorado are getting recommended vaccinations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2015 National Immunization Survey for Teens.

The national survey of teens ages 13-17 found an increase in the percentage who had received the vaccines routinely recommended for 11- and 12-year-olds. The tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine had a 93 percent coverage rate, and significant improvements were made in coverage rates for the human papillomavirus (HPV), varicella (chickenpox) and meningococcal conjugate vaccines. In 2015:

•Nationally, for one dose of Tdap vaccine, coverage dropped slightly, to 86 percent. In Colorado, the Tdap rate increased three percentage points, to 93 percent.

•Nationally, for one dose of meningicoccal conjugate vaccine, coverage went up two percentage points to 81 percent. In Colorado, the rate increased nearly nine percentage points,to 86 percent.

•Nationally, for girls who received the recommended three doses of HPV vaccine, coverage increased about two percentage points, to 42 percent. In Colorado, the rate increased four percentage points, to 46 percent.

•Nationally, for boys who received the recommended three doses of HPV vaccine, coverage increased more than six percentage points, to 28 percent. In Colorado, the rate increased more than 15 percentage points,to 37 percent.

•Nationally, for two doses of varicella vaccine, coverage went up two percentage points, to 83 percent. In Colorado, the rate increased eight percentage points, to 92 percent.

•Nationally and in Colorado, the two-dose coverage rate for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) was unchanged at 91 percent and 92 percent, respectively.

“We’re very proud of the progress we are making in protecting Colorado teens against vaccine-preventable diseases,” said Dr. Larry Wolk, executive director and chief medical officer at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Thanks to all the health care providers who continue to strongly recommend vaccines when teens come in for checkups or sports physicals.

“Even with these gains, many teens remain unnecessarily vulnerable to serious diseases, especially HPV,” Wolk said.

HPV vaccinations are recommended for girls and boys to protect against cervical cancer, genital warts and other types of oral and anal cancers. Health care professionals should talk with parents about the importance of all kids getting HPV vaccinations starting at age 11 and 12, and recommend HPV vaccine on the same day and in the same way they recommend other preteen vaccines.

Colorado has met federal Healthy People 2020 goals for Tdap, meningicoccal conjugate vaccine and varicella coverage but not for HPV. HPV vaccine originally was licensed only for girls but has been available to boys since 2011.