New Recommendation: Routine HPV Vaccination of Males
Since 2006, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended routine vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) for females ages 11 to 12 years, and catch-up vaccination for females ages 13 through 26 years.1 Routine vaccination is recommended for the 11-to-12-year-olds because their immune response is superior to older adults and children at this young age are less likely to have been exposed to the virus through sexual contact (the vaccine is most effective before exposure to HPV).
In October 2011, ACIP expanded its recommendation to include males for vaccination against HPV. Specifically, ACIP recommended the following:
Routine vaccination of males ages 11 to 12 years with Gardasil® to protect against genital human papillomavirus (HPV); Vaccination with Gardasil® for males ages 13 to 21 years who have not been vaccinated previously or who have not completed the 3-dose series; and
Males ages 22 to 26 years may be vaccinated.
These recommendations replaced the October 2009 ACIP guidance that stated that Gardasil® may be given to males ages 9 through 26 years.
In February 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) also recommended the routine vaccination of males ages 11 to 12 with Gardasil® to protect against HPV, as a part of its revised childhood and adolescent immunization schedule.
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