August is Immunization Awareness Month – LVBCH Announces Task Force

HPV Task Force to Reduce Cancer Risk will Present at National Alliance Meeting

The Lehigh Valley Business Coalition (LVBCH) has launched the Lehigh Valley HPV Task Force, which works with area employers and other health care stakeholders to increase awareness of and vaccination against the cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV). The task force is charged with creating and implementing campaigns to encourage employees and family members ages 9 to 45 to get vaccinated against HPV. Vaccination with the HPV vaccine can help achieve the elimination of certain HPV-related cancers and diseases, including cervical and head and neck cancers.

LVBCH’s HPV Task Force has also been selected to present at the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions’ Annual Forum. The conference themed Beyond Transparency – Seeing Clearly, Acting Boldly: Employers’ Moment of Truth will be held November 16-18, 2026 in Arlington, VA, and brings together more than 400 employers, business coalition leaders and other health care stakeholders. LVBCH’s presentation “Cancer Prevention Has Arrived – Is Your Population Protected” shares how post-pandemic employer concerns regarding decreasing preventive services would drive future health plan costs drove the creation of the HPV Task Force. Tools and resources developed by the group led to an increase in HPV vaccination in the Pittsburgh market and growth of the initiative across Pennsylvania and other states.

Diane C. McClune, RN, BSN, MBA, who leads the HPV Task Force, said, “Launching an HPV awareness campaign is a great investment for employers. LVBCH offers free tools, including an implementation guide that provides step-by-step instructions, sample emails and social media posts, and steps for setting up on-site vaccination clinics that can be used for HPV and other vaccination campaigns. The HPV vaccine can prevent a valued employee or family member from getting many types of cancers. In addition, it can save the employer the costs of treating cancer and lost productivity because an employee is out of work.”

LVBCH President Carl Seitz said, “LVBCH looks forward to sharing the HPV Task Force’s experience at the National Alliance Annual Forum. But we’re even more excited about the opportunity to work with employers throughout the Lehigh Valley and across Pennsylvania to reduce the cancer risk for employees and their families. LVBCH’s work in the Lehigh Valley and Pittsburgh areas is an opportunity to bring together employers across Pennsylvania to address the healthcare needs of employees and the community. Pennsylvania employers are much stronger working together and are able to accomplish more than any individual employer working alone.”

The Task Force formed initially in Pittsburgh area by Allegheny County Medical Society, Allegheny County School Health Insurance Consortium, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Duquesne University, Highmark, Merck, St. Clair Health, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center are now joined in the Lehigh Valley by Capital Blue Cross, Jefferson Health, Moravian University, PPL, St. Luke’s University Health Network, and the American Cancer Society. HPV vaccination was selected as an intervention area likely to result in high impact with a high return on investment for area employers.

The HPV vaccine prevents new infections but does not treat existing ones or clear previous exposures. Everyone is encouraged to talk to their doctor to determine if they have received the recommended vaccines and if the HPV vaccine will benefit them. Regarding the HPV vaccine, McClune said, “We have wanted a cancer prevention vaccine for so long, and it is here. Two or three shots – depending on your age – and then you’re done, protected for life. It just makes good sense,”

Employers interested in learning more about the HPV Task Force or implementing an HPV or other Vaccine Awareness Campaign, please email Diane McClune at dmcclune@lvbch.com.