After class on Wednesday I decided to do some research to see if the gardasil vaccine should be given to boys as well as girls. A study that I found done in 2009 found that yes they should be given the vaccine. Gardasil is a vaccine that protects against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The vaccine was designed to protect people against 4 types of HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18. Two types that cause 90% of genital warts cases and two types that cause 75% of cervical cancer cases. The vaccine was released in 2006 and recommended for women between the ages of 9-26. The vaccine is composed of 3 shots that are administered over a 6 month period.The vaccine was recommended to girls to prevent them from developing cervical cancer later in life. The idea was to give the girls the vaccine before they became sexually active and before they had a chance to acquire HPV. So one obvious reason that it is recommended for men is to prevent women from getting it from the men. Gardasil has also been shown to be effective at preventing cancers of the penis and anus that are also associated with HPV. Also, the vaccine is shown to be effective at preventing 90% of genital warts cases.
In a study funded by Merck 4,065 men between the ages of 16-26 participated in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. All of the men were HPV free at the time of the study and they participated in the study for two to three years. It was found that the men in the vaccine group were 65.5% less likely to contract genital warts from the 4 types of HPV that are covered by the vaccine. The vaccine was found to protect men from 90.4% of genital warts in the men that actually received all 3 doses of the vaccine.
In 2009 the FDA released a statement in which they recommended the use of the vaccine in men between the ages of 9-26. The makers of gardasil Merck also recommend that the vaccine be given to men. Since HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease in men and women it would be very beneficial if both men and women get vaccinated with gardasil.
For More Information:
Gardasil Protects Men and Boys too
Gardasil.comFDA Press Release
Merck Study
http://www.livestrong.com/article/178203-how-does-gardasil-work/
I think it is a good idea to have everyone vaccinated. It might get rid of the virus for good in later generations. I just wonder whether the vaccine might react differently in men than women, since the virus it is intended to prevent does. If it does, I wonder if it could have some side-affects they won't learn about until later.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you did more research on this because I was wondering the same thing! When I got vaccinated my doctor was telling me and my mom that they suggested it for boys now too, but neither of us knew what to believe. I definitely think its a good idea to have both genders vaccinated to reduce the risk of anyone getting the virus overall. I'm still curious about the vaccine in the long-term though since it was produced so recently.
ReplyDeleteI am hesitant about having everyone vaccinated. I feel that the drug was intended for females and having males vaccinated is not necessary but optional. I'm not big on vaccinations but I definitely feel that females should get treated with this. I agree with Nader and Merianna on the unknown possible long term side effects of this vaccine. Only time will tell but I don't think that this should be recommended for boys like it is for girls.
ReplyDelete