A CDC panel has recommended vaccination of boys as young as 9 and as old as 26 to prevent possible HPV infection. This is a huge step forward in the prevention of HPV and anal/oral cancers in both boys and men. Previously the vaccination was only approved for females under the age of 26. These new recommendations have caused an enormous amount of controversy today among those who don't see the need for vaccination. The vaccines currently available protect one against possible infection by the four strains most likely to cause cancers as well as genital warts. There are a number of different strains but these four are the ones most often linked to cancer. To me this seems like a no brainer. We vaccinate against influenza, polio, mumps, as well as other things that we may never come into contact with. Most individuals at some point in their lifetime will be infected by a strain of the HPV virus. Transmitted through close skin to skin contact, anal, oral, and vaginal sex the HPV virus can now at least be somewhat prevented even if someone already has one of the four strains. Currently the vaccine is unavailable to those over age 26 though it is possible that could change in the future allowing even more individuals to be protected against HPV. For more information on HPV check out this CDC information site.
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