HPV Vaccination for Men: Prevention, Risks, and Importance in Cancer Protection

HPV vaccination provides safe, effective, and lasting protection against the HPV infections that most commonly cause cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The HPV vaccine series is most effective when given before a person is exposed to the virus, and every year in the United States, HPV causes about 36,000 cases of cancer in both men and women.

The CDC recommends 2 doses of HPV vaccine at ages 11–12 years, with vaccination able to start at age 9. Only 2 doses are needed if the first dose was given before the 15th birthday. The first dose is recommended at ages 11–12 years old (can start at age 9), and the second dose should be given 6 to 12 months after the first dose.

Children aged 9–14 years who have received 2 doses of HPV vaccine less than 5 months apart will need a third dose. People aged 15–26 years who start the series later need 3 doses of HPV vaccine, given over 6 months. People with weakened immune systems should get 3 doses if they are 9–26 years old.

Gardasil-9 (9vHPV) is the HPV vaccine distributed in the United States, protecting against nine HPV types: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. All HPV vaccines protect against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause most HPV cancers.

Initially developed to address cervical cancer, the HPV vaccine also yields significant benefits for males by preventing genital warts and HPV-related cancers. Given that one in three men are infected with HPV worldwide, there is a pressing need for enhanced public health strategies focusing on prevention. The most effective preventive measure for HPV in males is vaccination.