The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) now recommends routine vaccination of boys aged 11 to 12 with three doses of HPV4 to protect against human papillomavirus (HPV). ACIP says vaccination will protect boys against certain HPV-related conditions and cancers and may also indirectly protect women by reducing HPV transmission.
"The greatest impact can be had when the vaccine is given at ages 11 or 12 where there is a better immune response compared with older ages. The vaccine is most effective when it is given before there is exposure to the virus that occurs through sexual contact. So that's the rationale for recommending this routinely for 11- or 12–year–olds," Anne Schuchat, MD, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said during a news media conference call explaining the recommendations. "The age of 11 or 12 is a very good time to be vaccinated. Antibody or immune responses are the strongest, and that's well before girls or boys would become sexually active. So the vaccine works best when given at the younger age."
The CDC will evaluate the ACIP recommendation and will publish its final recommendation in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Action, Nov. 15, 2011
Last Updated On
May 21, 2016
Originally Published On
November 09, 2011