HPV Vaccine Good For Boys & Girls: CDC

• comments
• 
• 

The HPV vaccine was initially recommended for girls only, back in 2006, due to the human papillomavirus (HPV) affecting teen girls. Since HPV vaccines were given to them, the rate has gone down by 56 percent.

However, its efficiency and reliability are not confined to girls alone. WTVM reported that HPV vaccines are recommended for both girls and boys.

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. According to Centers for Disease and Prevention, about 79 million people are infected with the said disease and most of them are not aware of it. Moreover, about 14 million individuals are newly infected each year.

"Fortunately, most of the infections go away on their own, but unfortunately, they can cause severe problems," said pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Shu. Among the problems one might experience is cervical, head and neck cancers. However, despite its dangers, there is hope. Thousands of HPV cancer deaths annually can be prevented for both girls and boys.

"The HPV vaccine is important for boys as well as for girls because boys can also get cancer from the HPV virus," Shu explained. This could prevent over 9,000 new cases of HPV-related cancers in men each year. "It's possible to get infected with the HPV virus without having sex. I think that is one important consideration for parents."

Who should get HPV vaccines?

Boys and girls who are 11 or 12 years old are recommended to get a series of HPV vaccines. Teen boys and girls, who missed it when they were younger, should still get it now. Young women can get HPV vaccines through age 26 and young men can get vaccinated through age 21. This is also recommended for gay, bisexual men and young men with a weak immune system through age 26. The three shots of the HPV vaccine series should be given over six months; the second one two months after the first shot; and the third one six months after the first dose.

How well does HPV vaccine work?

Per CDC, the HPV vaccines work extremely well. They did clinical trials and learned that the vaccine provided close to 100 percent protection against pre-cancers and genital warts. The vaccine was first recommended in 2006 and, since then, there has been 56 percent reduction in HPV infections among teen girls in the U.S. The same case also applies to other countries. For instance, Australia has a higher HPV vaccination coverage as a result, the number of cases of pre-cancer of the cervix in young women also reduced in the said country.

Parents are encouraged to have their children get HPV vaccines for their protection and safety.