Introduction: Solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) have a higher burden of gynecological cancers as compared to the general population and are likely to develop high-risk oncogenic HPV types due to immunosuppressive therapy. The objective of this study is to evaluate HPV vaccine awareness and uptake among SOTRs, and current attitudes toward the vaccine amongst SOTR care providers.

Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study surveyed SOTR patients and their medical providers on HPV awareness and vaccination (IRB ID: APP-23-00356) at the USC Dermatology clinic and Keck Hospital between April 2023 to May 2024.

Results: Forty percent (36/91) of patients completed the survey, of whom 18 (50%) knew that HPV is preventable with vaccination and twenty-two (61.1%) participants believed they were at an increased risk for HPV infection. Four (11.1%) participants said their providers recommended the HPV vaccine and four patients (11.1%) reported having received the vaccine.

Fifty-nine percent of providers (17/ 29) completed the survey, of whom seven (41.2%) providers recommend the HPV vaccine for their SOTR patients. Five (29.4%) providers discuss HPV vaccination status with their SOTR patients, and two (11.8%) stated that they offer the vaccine in their clinic.

Conclusions: Despite a majority of patients believing themselves to be at increased risk for HPV infection, only a minority of patients reported receiving HPV vaccine. Correspondingly, few SOTR care providers offered the HPV vaccine to patients. Our survey highlights the need to increase HPV vaccine access and improve provider guidance for HPV vaccination in SOTRs.