ACIP Recommends Routine HPV Vaccination For Boys

In October 2011, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) expanded its vaccine recommendations to include the routine HPV vaccination of boys ages 11 and 12 and a catch-up dose for males ages 13 to 21 who have not been previously vaccinated. It also supports the permissive use of the vaccine in men ages 22 to 26. Previous guidance issued in 2009 recommended against such routine vaccination to prevent genital warts in males, instead supporting the permissive use of the vaccine.

ACIP already recommends the routine vaccination of girls ages 11 and 12 with the HPV vaccine, and a “catch-up” vaccination for females 13 to 26 years of age who have not been previously vaccinated.

ACIP advises the federal Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine policies.

For more information on HPV vaccinations and reporting, see OLR Report 2011-R-0358.