Weekly review: Minipad HPV testing, ACOG statement, FAQs, and more

Thank you for visiting the Contemporary Pediatrics website. Take a look at some of our top stories from the past week (Monday, February 2, to Friday, February 6, 2026) and click on each link to read and watch anything you may have missed.

FDA approves Aptima HPV assay for clinician-collected primary cervical cancer screening

On February 4, 2026, the FDA granted approval for Hologic’s Aptima HPV Assay as a clinician-collected primary screening test for cervical cancer, marking a regulatory expansion beyond its prior adjunct and reflex indications. This decision adds to the array of FDA-authorized high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) assays that may be used as stand-alone primary screening in average-risk women, aligning with evolving practice patterns that increasingly endorse HPV-based detection strategies over cytology-only approaches for cervical cancer prevention.

Click here for full approval details.

Minipad-based HPV testing shows promise for cervical cancer screening

A large community-based study published in The BMJ found that testing menstrual blood collected on a sanitary minipad could offer a reliable, non-invasive alternative to clinician-collected cervical samples for human papillomavirus (HPV) screening, which demonstrated comparable accuracy for detecting high-grade cervical lesions.

Click here for full details of the study.

ACOG calls for safe, equitable ob-gyn care for immigrants

“Immigrants—both documented and undocumented—face tremendous barriers in accessing essential reproductive and pregnancy care, because only a handful of states offer comprehensive prenatal and postpartum coverage and even fewer offer abortion care, regardless of immigration status,” said Rose Molina, MD, MPH, FACOG, lead author of ACOG’s committee statement.

Click here for full ACOG statement details.

Pregnancy vaccination FAQs: ACOG guidance on COVID-19, flu, and RSV

ACOG continues to support maternal immunization against COVID-19, flu, and RSV amid growing public questions about vaccine safety during pregnancy. At the link below, view our newly-developed FAQ article intended to remind clinicians of ACOG’s evidence-based recommendations and support consistent counseling and clinical practice.

Click here for the FAQ.

Kevin Ault, MD, on maternal immunization, following the correct recommendations

Kevin Ault, MD, of the NFID, explains the importance of data- and evidence-based guidance, such as that of ACOG, for maternal immunization recommendations. Click play on the video above to watch.