Alopecia Universalis Following Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Administration: A Case Report

This case report documents a rare instance of alopecia universalis (AU) following the administration of the 9-valent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in a healthy woman in her late 30s. After receiving the vaccine, she experienced progressive hair loss, culminating in AU. Despite the absence of other potential triggers such as stress or genetic predisposition, the temporal relationship between the vaccine doses and hair loss suggests a possible link. Treatment with ritlecitinib mesylate, a Janus kinase (JAK) 3 inhibitor, resulted in significant hair regrowth. While the pathogenesis of vaccine-induced alopecia remains unclear, this case highlights the need for further research and vigilance in monitoring vaccine-related adverse events.