{"id":629135,"date":"2024-07-31T12:57:26","date_gmt":"2024-07-31T16:57:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=629135"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:50:00","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:50:00","slug":"gardasil-9-for-men","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/gardasil-9-for-men\/","title":{"rendered":"Gardasil 9 for men and boys: Ages, dosage, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gardasil 9 isn’t just for girls and women; boys and men can benefit from this vaccine too. It’s often overlooked that Gardasil 9 was approved for men, helping <\/span>prevent HPV infections<\/span><\/a> that can lead to cancers and genital warts. <\/span><\/p>\n

In 2014, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) <\/span>approved Gardasil 9<\/span><\/a> for females between the ages of 9 and 26 and males between the ages of 9 and 15. In 2015, the approval was extended to include males between the ages of 16 and 26. By 2018, it was further expanded to cover males and females aged 27–45 as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Given these updates, many people are now eligible for the vaccine. Here’s everything you need to know about the HPV vaccine for males between the ages of 9 and 45.<\/span><\/p>\n

Importance of the HPV vaccine for men<\/span><\/h2>\n

HPV, or human papillomavirus, can cause severe health risks for men. Around <\/span>4 out of every 10 cases<\/span><\/a> of cancer caused by HPV occur in men, with over 15,000 men in the United States getting HPV-related cancers each year. Mouth and throat cancer is the most common of them and occurs more often in men than in women. In fact, men are almost five times more likely than women to develop throat cancer from HPV.<\/span><\/p>\n

Men can also develop other types of HPV-related cancers, including penile and anal cancer. Most cases of penile cancer, a rare form of cancer that develops on the foreskin, are caused by HPV, accounting for <\/span>63% of cases<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, the risk of cancers may be entirely preventable, especially with early vaccination. <\/span><\/p>\n

What does Gardasil 9 help protect against?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Most HPV infections clear up on their own. However, for people who do not clear the virus, the disease can persist and eventually lead to cancer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gardasil 9, developed by Merck Sharp & Dohme, helps protect individuals against diseases caused by nine types of HPV: 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. <\/span>Types 16 and 18<\/span><\/a> are the ones that cause most HPV-related cancers, including head and neck cancers, anal cancer, and cervical cancer, among others. Types 6 and 11 are responsible for causing 90% of cases of genital warts. <\/span><\/p>\n

HPV can be transmitted through various forms of sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also be spread through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area. This makes it possible to contract HPV even if there are no visible signs or symptoms of the virus in an infected partner.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Gardasil 9 works<\/span><\/h2>\n

Gardasil 9 works by teaching your immune system to recognize and fight the virus if you are ever exposed to it. The vaccine contains tiny, noninfectious particles that mimic the outer shell of the real virus, which prompts the body to produce antibodies. These antibodies then stand ready to attack the actual virus when the time comes.<\/span><\/p>\n

The vaccine doesn’t treat existing HPV infections, genital warts, or any form of cancer. Regular cancer screenings are important even after vaccination, as Gardasil 9 does not cover every type of HPV or HPV-related cancer. It helps to reduce the risk of future infections and related health issues in people who engage in sexual activity. <\/span><\/p>\n

Who can receive the HPV vaccine?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Gardasil 9 is approved for people age 9 and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends <\/span>routine vaccination at age 11 or 12<\/span><\/a>, but it can be started as early as age 9. Healthcare professionals advise vaccination for individuals through age 26 if they were not vaccinated earlier. However, individuals up to age 45 can receive the vaccine. <\/span><\/p>\n

Is the same Gardasil 9 vaccine given to men and women?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Yes, the Gardasil 9 vaccine is the same for both men and women. It contains the same ingredients and works in the same way. <\/span><\/p>\n

However, it may prevent gender-specific cancers. For instance, it can help prevent vulvar, vaginal, and cervical cancer in women, while in men, it can prevent penile cancer. Additionally, Gardasil 9 can prevent anal and mouth cancers in both men and women.<\/span><\/p>\n

The dosing schedule for Gardasil 9 is not based on gender but on age.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gardasil 9 dosing schedule<\/span><\/h2>\n

Gardasil 9 is administered through a shot, usually in the arm muscle. The <\/span>dosage schedule<\/span><\/a> varies based on the age range the person falls within and the number of doses required. Here is a breakdown of the schedules, according to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP):<\/span><\/p>\n

For ages 9 through 14 years<\/span><\/h3>\n

Two-dose schedule:<\/span><\/p>\n