Boys to Be Vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that boys of the age of 11 to 12 years should be vaccinated with the vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV).

Since 2006, HPV vaccine is used in the U.S. to vaccinate girls and young women. It is considered very effective in preventing cervical cancer. From the moment this initiative of the Academy of Pediatrics was approved by the medical community, the number of types of cancer, caused by HPV, has increased. It has been found that the sad list includes cancer of the rectum, and some types of head and neck tumors.

Initially, when the positive effect of the HPV vaccine was confirmed, it was assumed that it could be effective in preventing cervical cancer and genital warts. Dr. Michael Brady, chairman of the Academy’s committee on infectious diseases says it is clear today that vaccination should take place among the teenagers, including both young men and women. The current approach is ineffective in terms of public health, since men are also involved in the transmission of human papillomavirus. If the vaccination involves both girls and boys, perhaps, the number of cases of HPV will decrease.

The new guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics were published on February 27 in the Pediatrics journal.