USA: Integrating human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination into routine postpartum care offers a valuable opportunity to reach at-risk patient populations, lowers costs for patients, and helps prevent HPV-related cancers, a recent study has revealed. The findings were published online in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Human Papillomavirus is a significant public health concern linked to various cancers, including cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. While vaccination is recommended for adolescents, many women miss this opportunity during their reproductive years, particularly in the postpartum period. By integrating HPV vaccination into routine postpartum care, healthcare providers can effectively reach women who may not have received the vaccine earlier.

Against the above background, Sara E. Brenner, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, and colleagues aimed to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of routine postpartum human papillomavirus vaccination and identify key themes and strategies to enhance vaccination rates among new mothers.
For this purpose, the researchers queried PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov from inception to July 2024, focusing on postpartum HPV vaccination studies involving human subjects and published in English. They screened 60 studies evaluating HPV vaccination in the postpartum period, including only original research that reported on vaccine uptake or acceptability. After reviewing the abstracts, 39 studies were excluded for not meeting the criteria.
The remaining nine studies were categorized based on their primary objectives, which included defining the problem, assessing patient perspectives, and testing interventions aimed at increasing vaccination rates. These studies showed that postpartum HPV vaccination programs can significantly improve vaccination rates and are feasible and acceptable to patients.
"Integrating innovative strategies like routine postpartum human papillomavirus vaccination would help reduce missed opportunities for cancer prevention," the researchers wrote.

The systematic review emphasizes the importance of incorporating HPV vaccination into standard postpartum care. This strategy targets a population that may be at higher risk and offers a cost-effective solution to enhance vaccination rates.
"By leveraging the postpartum healthcare visit as an opportunity for vaccination, healthcare providers can play a pivotal role in preventing HPV-related cancers and improving long-term health outcomes for women. Healthcare systems, therefore, need to prioritize this integration to maximize the benefits of HPV vaccination in postpartum care," the researchers concluded.
Reference:
Brenner, Sara E. MD, MPH; Modesitt, Susan MD; Bednarczyk, Robert A. PhD; Dilley, Sarah E. MD, MPH. Human Papillomavirus Vaccination in the Postpartum Period: A Systematic Review. Obstetrics & Gynecology ():10.1097/AOG.0000000000005718, August 29, 2024. | DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005718