American Academy of Pediatrics calls for routine human papillomavirus vaccination for boys

Updated recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) include routine use of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for boys as well as girls. The policy is consistent with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations and supersedes the previous policy that permitted but did not recommend immunization of boys.

The AAP recommends that all girls and boys aged 11 through 12 years should receive 3 doses of HPV vaccine. For girls, either the HPV4 or HPV2 vaccine can be given; only the HPV4 vaccine can be used for boys. For both, the vaccine series can be started as early as 9 years.

Vaccination is also recommended for girls and young women aged 13 through 26 years and boys and young men aged 13 through 21 years who have not been previously vaccinated or have not completed the series.

American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases. Policy statement: HPV vaccine recommendations. Pediatrics. 2012;129(3):602-605.