Is there an Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine available for adult males?

From the Guidelines

Yes, there is an HPV vaccine available for adult males, and it is recommended for males aged 9 through 45 years, with a 3-dose schedule for those aged 15-26 years and shared clinical decision-making for those aged 27-45 years. The vaccine, Gardasil 9, protects against HPV types that can cause genital warts and certain cancers, including penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers 1. While vaccination is most effective when given before exposure to HPV (ideally before sexual activity begins), adult males can still benefit from vaccination as they may not have been exposed to all HPV types covered by the vaccine. The vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies against HPV, providing protection against future infections with those specific HPV types. Side effects are generally mild and may include pain at the injection site, fever, headache, and nausea. Men who have sex with men and immunocompromised individuals may particularly benefit from vaccination due to higher risk of HPV-related diseases 1.

Some key points to consider:

• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends routine HPV vaccination at age 11 or 12 years, with catch-up vaccination recommended for all persons through age 26 years 1.
• The ACIP does not recommend catch-up vaccination for all adults aged 27 through 45 years, but recognizes that some persons who are not adequately vaccinated might be at risk for new HPV infection and might benefit from vaccination in this age range 1.
• The American Cancer Society recommends routine HPV vaccination between ages 9 and 12 years and catch-up HPV vaccination for all persons through age 26 years, but does not endorse the ACIP recommendation for shared clinical decision making for some adults aged 27 through 45 years 1.
• The vaccine has been shown to be safe and effective in preventing HPV-associated diseases, including some cancers, and has been licensed for use in adults up to age 45 years 1.

Overall, the decision to vaccinate adult males against HPV should be based on individual risk factors and shared clinical decision-making, taking into account the potential benefits and risks of vaccination 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL - 0.5 mL Syringe Carton 10 Single-dose 0.5-mL Syringes REFRIGERATE Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant GARDASIL ®9 Suspension for intramuscular injection The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

HPV Vaccines for Adult Males

• The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is available for adult males, with the quadrivalent HPV vaccine possibly reducing the incidence of external genital lesions and persistent infection with HPV 6/11/16/18 2.
• The current HPV vaccine recommendations apply to individuals 9 years old and above through the age of 26 years, and adults aged 27-45 years who might be at risk of new HPV infection and benefit from vaccination 2.
• There are compelling reasons to recommend vaccination against HPV amongst males >26 years of age, as the risks posed by HPV infection persist beyond 26 years of age, and vaccination of men aged 26-45 years with HPV vaccine confers immunogenicity at levels demonstrably efficacious against HPV-related diseases 3.
• The Food and Drug Administration has expanded the HPV vaccination to include older men, and it is argued that HPV vaccination in men older than 26 years of age should be routinely recommended 3.

Efficacy and Effectiveness of HPV Vaccines

• HPV vaccines have been shown to be highly effective against oral HPV type 16/18 infection, with a significant percentage of participants developing IgG antibodies in the oral fluid post vaccination 2.
• The vaccines' effectiveness in reducing the incidence of and mortality rates from HPV-related head and neck cancers should be observed in the long term 2.
• In anal infections and anal intraepithelial neoplasia, the vaccines demonstrate high efficacy 2.

Recommendations and Guidelines

• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends shared clinical decision making (SCDM) regarding human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for adults 27 to 45 years 4.
• Primary care physicians are interested in recommending HPV vaccination for adults age 27 to 45 years, despite ACIP not routinely recommending it in this age range 4.
• Understanding factors associated with likelihood of discussing and receiving the HPV vaccine among people aged 27-45 years is important to successfully implement the guidelines for shared clinical decision-making 5.