Occupational exposure to HPV is a potential risk factor for development of HPV-related diseases among surgeons of many specialties.
A prospective vaccination program of house staff and attending surgeons in Otolaryngology, Urology, General Surgery and Obstetrics/Gynecology has been developed. Pre- and post-vaccination HPV titers will help determine the immunogenicity of vaccination in this occupationally-vulnerable, previously un-vaccinated high risk group.
Preliminary data from this prospective study, along with the rationale and potential application to surgeons and other health care workers will be presented.
Health care workers may be at risk for contracting HPV-related disease of the aero-digestive tract through occupational exposures. Surgeons in the fields of Otolaryngology, Urology, General Surgery and OB/Gyn may be particularly vulnerable. Introduction of vaccination programs targeting 11-12 year old boys and girls have left these surgeons unvaccinated. If found to be immunogenic, administration of the HPV-9 vaccine in adult male and females surgeons may protect them from contracting disease.