Pediatricians Recommend HPV Vaccine for Boys, Too

The American Academy of Pediatrics today released a new recommendation calling for pre-teen and adolescent boys to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus, part of AAP’s revised standard immunization schedule for youths.

The HPV vaccine already is recommended for girls in the same age range. Giving it to boys will protect them from HPV-linked oral and anal cancers and help prevent further transmission of the STD. AAP’s call follows a similar one made by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in October.

The three-shot HPV series is given over six months, with costs totaling around $360. Female vaccinations are covered by many private insurers due to inclusion on the routine vaccine schedule. Adding boys to the schedule likely will result in coverage as well.

Because HPV is linked to sexual activity, some critics worry that the vaccine against it could promote promiscuity. However, a CDC study on that issue showed no such effect, said Dr. Michael Brady, chair of AAP’s Committee on Infectious Diseases and chair of pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

“Given the amount of cancer in both genders, most people recognize the rationale,” said Brady. “Adding males from a cost-perspective was the right thing to do.”

“Boys who grow up to be men who have sex with men are at particular risk for HPV infection,” Brady added. “If you immunize only girls, you wouldn’t improve protection of that population.”

More information about the revised immunization schedule is available at http://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/pages/AAP-2012-Childhood-and-Adolescent-Immunization-Schedule.aspx.

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