Source: HemOnc Today

The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases issued an updated policy statement on human papillomavirus vaccination that recommends both boys and girls be immunized.

The policy statement notes vaccination reduces the incidence of sexually transmitted infections and reduces cancer risk.

“Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types is responsible for most cervical and anal cancers in females,” the statement reads. “In males, high-risk HPV types are responsible for a large proportion of cancers of the mouth and pharynx, which are increasing in recent years, and of anal and penile cancers.”

There currently is one approved HPV vaccine (HPV4; Gardasil, Merck) for boys and two vaccines — HPV4 and HPV2 (Cervarix, GlaxoSmithKline) — approved for girls.

The committee recommended that:

  • Girls aged 11 to 12 years should receive three doses of HPV2 or HPV4 — administered intramuscularly at 0, 1 to 2, and 6 months — even if they already are sexually active.
  • Boys aged 11 to 12 years should receive three doses of HPV4 using the same schedule.
  • Females aged 13 to 26 years and males aged 13 to 21 years who were not previously immunized or who are missing a vaccination should complete the full series.
  • Men aged 22 to 26 years who were not immunized previously or who are missing a vaccination may receive the HPV4 series, but “cost-efficacy models do not justify a stronger recommendation in this age group.”

The policy statement recommended that women who receive the vaccine continue to undergo cervical cancer screening.

About 20 million Americans currently have an HPV infection, and an estimated 7,080 men and 14,720 women develop cancers associated with HPV types 16 and 18 every year, according to the CDC.

An estimated 80% of anal cancers, 65% of vaginal cancers, 50% of vulvar cancers, 35% of penile cancers and nearly all cervical cancers are HPV-related. Roughly 60% of oropharyngeal cancers are associated with HPV.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.

This news story was resourced by the Oral Cancer Foundation, and vetted for appropriateness and accuracy.