The Advisory Community on Immunization Practices now recommends the human papillomavirus vaccine, Gardasil, which helps prevent genital warts and cervical cancer, for 11- and 12-year-old males.
HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that affects about 20 million people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gardasil is the only HPV vaccine that can help protect females ages nine to 26 from 75 percent of cervical cancer cases and 90 percent of genital warts cases, along with several other possible benefits, according to www.gardasil.com. 
Although the vaccine was originally advertised for girls, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended on Oct. 25 that the vaccine be administered to all males 11 to 21 years of age who have yet to be vaccinated.
In Columbia the Gardasil vaccine is available at the Columbia/Boone County Health Department at reduced prices. For those without private insurance or no insurance the cost is $15 as opposed to $140 for those who do have private insurace.
RBHS nurse Tammy Adkins said Gardasil not only helps prevent genital warts in both sexes, but the vaccine also helps inhibit the spread of the infection by ensuring less people contract it.
“If men are vaccinated against it too, hopefully they won’t get to pass it on,” Adkins said. “It’s just another way to stop transmission.”
By Nomin-Erdene Jagdagdorj