FDA Panel Approves HPV Vaccine for Boys

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given its approval for boys age 9 to 26 to receive the HPV vaccine Gardasil. The vaccine has been in use with females 9 to 26 since 2006. HPV, also known as human papillomavirus can cause cervical cancer in women. In men HPV can lead to anal cancers and genital warts. While there are dozens of strains of HPV, Gardasil targets the 4 that most commonly cause cancers and rectal warts. Ideally, the vaccine is gotten before becoming sexually active since that is the way HPV is transmitted. Note that for now, Gardasil use in boys is only being considered in the prevention of rectal warts not cancers at this time.

Related Information

• Understanding HPV
• Your Guide to the HPV Vaccine
• Are Anal Paps Helpful in Men?