HPV Vaccination for a 28-Year-Old Male
Yes, as a 28-year-old male, you can receive the HPV vaccine, though it is considered optional for your age group and may be less effective than when given at a younger age. 1
Recommendations Based on Age
- Routine HPV vaccination is primarily recommended for adolescents at age 11-12 years (can start as early as age 9) 1
- For males aged 13-21 years who haven't been previously vaccinated, HPV vaccination is routinely recommended 1
- For males aged 22-26 years (your age group), vaccination is optional - the guidelines state that men in this age range "may be vaccinated" rather than "should be vaccinated" 1
Special Considerations for Your Age Group
- At age 28, you fall slightly outside the standard recommendation age range of 9-26 years 1
- You should be informed that vaccination at older ages is less effective in lowering cancer risk compared to vaccination at younger ages 1
- This reduced effectiveness is due to the likelihood of prior HPV exposure through sexual contact 1
Special Populations with Extended Recommendations
- If you are a man who has sex with men (MSM) or are immunocompromised (including HIV positive), vaccination is specifically recommended through age 26 1
- These populations have higher risk of HPV-related diseases, particularly anal cancer and precancers 1
Vaccine Type and Schedule
- The 9-valent HPV vaccine (9vHPV, Gardasil-9) is currently the only HPV vaccine available in the United States 2, 3
- For individuals starting vaccination at age 15 or older, a 3-dose schedule is recommended 2, 3
- The recommended schedule is: first dose at elected date, second dose 1-2 months after first dose, and third dose 6 months after first dose 2
Benefits and Considerations
- HPV vaccination helps protect against HPV-related cancers (including anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers) and genital warts 1, 4
- The quadrivalent HPV vaccine has been shown to reduce the incidence of external genital lesions and anogenital warts in males 5
- No prevaccination testing is recommended before vaccination 3
Important Caveats
- The vaccine is most effective when given before exposure to HPV through sexual activity 1, 3
- The vaccine does not treat existing HPV infections or HPV-related diseases 3
- The vaccine is generally well-tolerated, with injection site reactions being the most common side effects 5
While you can receive the HPV vaccine at age 28, you should discuss with your healthcare provider whether vaccination would be beneficial in your specific case, considering your risk factors and potential prior HPV exposure.