HPV vaccine coming for boys and men

In Europe and Australia, the HPV vaccine is approved for use with males, ages 9-15. However studies in the US have only just begun and have not yet proven any effectiveness in boys or men.

Merck, which manufactures the popular HPV vaccine Gardasil, hopes to conclude tests next year to prove the benefits Gardasil can offer men. It will likely take years for the FDA to approve the HPV vaccine for use with male patients. Although the vaccine is approved for women, men can purchase the vaccine off-label at the cost of around $500.

COMMENT: Perhaps men should be tested for the HPV virus and use condoms if they are positive. Since this vaccine has not been tested to see if can cause cancer and no one knows if it will cause infertility down the road, men, boys--and little girls--should be wary of rushing to get this vaccine.