Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers are on the rise in the United States. Furthermore,
greater than 90% of cervical cancer cases are attributable to HPV, and cervical cancer
disproportionately affects women of color in both incidence and mortality. Due to low HPV
vaccine uptake in the US, innovative approaches to vaccinating vulnerable populations are
necessary in order to maximize the cancer prevention potential of this vaccine. The
puerperium is a time period when women are engaged in the healthcare system and have almost
universal access to affordable health care. Two prior studies have shown that postpartum HPV
vaccination is acceptable to patients, and high rates of vaccination were achieved in these
primarily Hispanic populations. However, data show that the immune response in young women is
less robust than in adolescents, and no studies have examined immunogenicity in postpartum
women specifically. We propose an HPV vaccination pilot study in women who receive postpartum
care at University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) hospital. We will examine the
acceptability, uptake and immunogenicity of the vaccine in the postpartum setting.