September 4, 2009

HPV Vaccine for Boys: Public Comments Welcome

Should the federal government pay for the Gardasil HPV vaccine for boys and young men covered by government-funded health programs? The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is holding a public hearing October 21 and 22 in Atlanta to discuss this important question and would like to hear from concerned community members, both in person and in writing.

Gardasil was approved in 2006 to help protect young women from the strains of human papilloma virus (HPV) that are most likely to cause cervical cancer and genital warts. Current guidelines recommend treating girls before they become sexually active, because a majority of women become infected with HPV within a short time after sexually activity has commenced.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now poised to approve the same vaccine to protect men from the same HPV strains that cause anal and penile warts and cancer. The FDA is expected to approve the vaccine’s use in preteen and teenage boys who have not yet become sexually active.

FDA approval is more scientific than political. The same is not true, however, when it comes to government decisions to pay for certain components of medical care. When ACIP recommended that government funds be used to vaccinate girls and young women, conservative activists objected strongly, claiming that the vaccine promoted promiscuity.

HIV and gay men’s health activists anticipate similar controversy at the ACIP hearing to determine whether the government should pay for the vaccine to protect men.

The mobilization of HIV and gay health activists is due, in part, to the fact that men who have sex with men have the highest rates of HPV infection and are likely to need the vaccine the most. Conservative groups are also expected to advocate against the government recommending payment for the vaccine, suggesting that it will promote both promiscuity and homosexuality.

Information about the ACIP hearing, which is open to the public, can be found on the CDC website. Written comments can also be submitted to the ACIP by e-mail at acip@cdc.gov.

Search: Gardasil, human papilloma virus, HPV, CDC, hearing, boys, men, anal cancer, penile cancer

Scroll down to comment on this story.

Previous Comments:

Brian Datcher, Stratford, CT, 2009-10-29 14:39:34
I feel that,poeple should be thinking about, stopping the spread of HPV no matter what peolpe think. It is strenge how people will get the HPV vaccine shot and still not use condoms. How you living ?????

patrick, Montgomery, AL, 2009-10-27 14:19:55
absolutely. If there is a vaccine available that will prevent please provide it. An ounce of prevention is worth pounds of cure. HPV is way too easy to get for guys who have sex with guys and once you have it it is near impossible to get rid of.

John, Montgomery, 2009-10-26 11:56:57
Yes... men can carry the virus without any symptoms and transfer hpv to the sexual partners... so I do not even see a reason for the debate?

John, Central New York, 2009-10-22 20:36:28
The public at large is once again not educated to make rational decisions according to the facts HPV is not sexually transmitted only a simple touch can transmit it Warts on any body part is another form of this virus Promoting sex what the hell does that mean how many of the breeder conservative critics had to get married because of pregnancy and the huge std outbreaks back then more people with their heads up their ass about other peoples health care simply if you dont want it dont get it!!!

scott, , 2009-10-09 11:49:14
HPV is not associated with rectal or colon cancer. a small minority of HPV types (there are ~100) are, however, associated with most anal cancers. the most important types are 16 and 18, which are in the vaccine. at present, although the vaccine appears to be effective in preventing genital warts due to types 6 and 11, there aren't enough data yet to determine whether it's effective in preventing anal cancer due to types 16 and 18.

jim, honolulu, 2009-09-17 16:50:51
Can you just imagine trying to convince a parent that their pre teen son just might grow up to be gay and that the vaccine could one day save his life

Kevin, Phoenix, 2009-09-14 17:12:17
Love the paragraph about the conservative groups opposing govt funding for this vaccine b/c it promotes promiscuity and homosexuality. It appears that so-called conservative groups oppose ANYTHING that benefits individuals and society, especially if it's related to sexuality. If you have the ability to alleviate suffering, don't you have a moral responsibility to do so?

Jon, Pittsburgh, 2009-09-10 15:51:02
Absolutely! Males should be given the same cares as females. The HPV virus is in no way something that only females can have an issue with. Males need to be given the same vaccinations to prevent warts as well as rectal cancer. I have under gone testing for rectal cancer because of the possiblity of having come in contact with HPV and the testing is in no way pleasant. It could also prevent the spreading of HPV.

Steven E., Boston, 2009-09-10 12:22:50
Not only is this obviously a good idea where general health is concerned but this is also very cost efficient. The vaccine is much less expensive to insurance companies (private or government run) then it would be to treat someone with cancer. This shouldn't even be up for debate.

Chris Ritter, Madison, OH, 2009-09-10 11:27:06
I defintely believe the Government should cover this vacine. It may have prevented the Anal Cancer that I suffered just last year. SO YES COVER IT!

Paul B, St Petersburg, 2009-09-10 11:07:12
I definitely support vaccinations for both sexes. I doubt very seriously that it promotes promiscuity among youngsters, but it may prevent them from severe illnesses in the future.

Frank Cintron, New Haven, 2009-09-10 10:45:33
I find it dificult to comprehend why there should be any debate as to whether Men should be receiving this vacine at the cost of the government. HPV is a sexually transmited infection that does not discriminate based on how someone self identifies, as either straight, bi-sexual, or gay. The HPV Vaccine should be a standard vaccine offered to both Women and Men. For the critics suggesting that it will promote both promiscuity and homosexuality. I say;Do Not take my choices away based ideology.

Tom, Tucson, AZ., 2009-09-10 09:35:36
Yes I think they should. If the girls can get the Vaccine. Then the boys should be able to get it too. It isn't just a womens Virus. I have a nephew that contracted HPV and it turned into Colorectal Cancer. So I say, "YES".

Bill, Hilton Head Island, SC, 2009-09-09 22:00:06
Yes! Practicing medicine for the right reasons - preventing disease!

a pharmacist, atlanta, 2009-09-09 20:52:46
Yes, I have seen several cases of rectal cancer in HIV pos men and definately think that this can make a difference. I also just recently have a friend who got rectal cancer so it is so important to vaccinate for this dreaded cancer.