HPV Vaccine: Boys Need It, Too
The vaccine protects children against HPV, a disease that can cause serious health problems (cancer and genital warts) later in life. Currently, only 14% of boys and 38% of girls have received the HPV vaccine.
In the past, the HPV vaccine has been seen as a vaccine for girls, even though boys benefit from the vaccine too.
As the rate of HPV-related oral cancer in men rises, there’s been more emphasis on getting boys vaccinated.
As a parent, you might wonder how the HPV vaccine can benefit your child. Read on for answers to common questions about HPV and the HPV vaccine.
Why do public health officials want more children to be vaccinated?
Each year 17,000 women and 9,000 men are affected by HPV-related cancers. Many of these cancers could be prevented with HPV vaccination.
What is HPV?
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the U.S. You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. A person can spread HPV even if he or she has no signs or symptoms.
There are many types of HPV. Almost all sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives, though most will never know it. The body usually gets rid of HPV on its own; however, sometimes the virus stays in the body and causes serious health problems, including:
- Cervical cancer
- Vulvar cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Penile cancer (cancer of the penis)
- Anal cancer
- Head and neck cancer (oropharyngeal cancer)
- Genital warts
What is the HPV vaccine?
The HPV vaccine protects your children against the types of HPV that cause the health problems mentioned above. Right now, there are two kinds of HPV vaccine:
Cervarix is only approved for use in girls and women and is designed to prevent infection from HPV types 16 and 18. These types of HPV are most commonly responsible for causing 70% of all cervical cancers in the U.S., as well as most head and neck cancers.
Gardasil is the only HPV vaccine approved for use in both boys and girls. It is designed to prevent infection from HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. In addition to preventing cervical, head and neck cancers, it prevents vulvar and vaginal cancers in woman and genital warts in both men and women.
Both vaccines are given in a series of 3 shots over 6 months.
The vaccine is most effective if all 3 shots are administered. To remember to give your child all 3 shots, make an appointment for the 2nd and 3rd shot before you leave the doctor’s office after the 1st shot.
Gardasil helps prevent boys from getting HPV-related genital warts and cancers of the mouth/throat and penis.
When should my child be vaccinated?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that preteen girls and boys receive the HPV vaccination at age 11 or 12 years. The HPV vaccine is also recommended for boys age 13 through 21 years who have not yet been vaccinated.
Why does my child need the HPV vaccine now?
HPV vaccines offer the best protection to girls and boys who receive all three vaccine doses and have time to develop an immune response before they begin sexual activity with another person.
This is not to say that your preteen is ready to have sex. In fact, it’s just the opposite—it’s important to get your child protected before you or your child have to think about this issue. The immune response to this vaccine is better in preteens, and this could mean better protection for your child.
For more information make an appointment by calling 0925-567-5329 • 0908-865-5662 • 0917-566-1932 • 458-0717 and schedule a consultation today.
Visit us at BRITANNIA MEDICAL CENTER - The Enclave
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