Gardasil Is Optional For Boys

Gardasil Is Optional For Boys

  U.S. vaccine advisers declined to press for the use of Merck & Co's (MRK.N) Gardasil in boys and men, opting instead for "permissive" use on Wednesday.

  The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted almost unanimously to simply advise doctors they were free to recommend the vaccine, which protects against the human papillomavirus that causes a variety of cancers and genital warts, to boys.

  Gardasil is only effective in preventing HPV infections, not in treating those already infected by HPV, and so the vaccine must be given before HPV infection occurs in order to be effective. For this reason it is recommended to administer the vaccine before adolescence and the onset of sexual activity.

Reported by Reuters.