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Is administration of the HPV vaccine during pregnancy feasible in the future?
Abbey B Berenson1, Pooja R Patel, Alan D Barrett
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women's Health, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
Despite the strong evidence supporting the efficacy of the HPV vaccine, the uptake rate remains low. One reason for this is that young females do not interact frequently with the healthcare system. In fact, pregnancy is often the first time young women experience multiple scheduled visits to a health provider. We review the data regarding safety of administering the HPV vaccine during pregnancy and consider the possibility of incorporating vaccination into prenatal care. Although the optimal time for vaccination is prior to sexual debut, this does not always occur, and as such, a broader approach to HPV vaccination may be necessary. Increasing the vaccine uptake rate among young women who did not initiate or complete the series earlier may significantly contribute to the decline in HPV-associated diseases.
Despite the strong evidence supporting the efficacy of the HPV vaccine, the uptake rate remains low. One reason for this is that young females do not interact frequently with the healthcare system. In fact, pregnancy is often the first time young women experience multiple scheduled visits to a health provider. We review the data regarding safety of administering the HPV vaccine during pregnancy and consider the possibility of incorporating vaccination into prenatal care. Although the optimal time for vaccination is prior to sexual debut, this does not always occur, and as such, a broader approach to HPV vaccination may be necessary. Increasing the vaccine uptake rate among young women who did not initiate or complete the series earlier may significantly contribute to the decline in HPV-associated diseases.
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