Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in the Postpartum Period

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether routine postpartum human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is acceptable and feasible and to identify key themes and strategies that can be used to increase postpartum HPV vaccination rates. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov were queried from inception to July 2024 for postpartum and HPV vaccination. Studies were limited to human subjects and the English language. METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Screening was performed for studies of any method that evaluated HPV vaccination in the postpartum period (N=60). Only original research that reported either uptake or acceptability of the HPV vaccine was included. Thirty-nine studies were eliminated after abstract review because they did not meet the inclusion criteria. TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Nine studies were categorized according to the primary aim of the study (defining the problem, assessing patient perspectives, or testing interventions to increase vaccination) and demonstrated that postpartum HPV vaccination programs can significantly increase HPV vaccination rates and are feasible and acceptable to patients. CONCLUSION: Incorporating HPV vaccination into standard postpartum care provides an opportunity to reach vulnerable patient populations, reduces cost for patients, and has the ability to prevent HPV-related cancers.