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Push to Use HPV Vaccine on Boys Stirs Debate

Is pricey STD prevention necessary?

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 26, 2009 8:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – Merck is pushing the FDA to approve its HPV vaccine for men, and that’s raising a whole new set of controversies, the Washington Post reports. When the human papillomavirus vaccine was originally marketed for girls, many questioned whether or not it would encourage young girls to have sex. With boys on the receiving end, the debate has centered on whether or not the pricey treatment—it costs around $500—is cost-effective, safe, or necessary.

“We are still more worried about the promiscuity of girls than the promiscuity of boys,” complained one women’s studies professor. "There's still that double standard." Its new use is also raising the issue of cost: HPV can lead to cervical cancer in women, but the chance it will cause cancer for men is much lower, leading some to question its value. "I wonder if it was the reverse, and there was a vaccine for women that helped prevent prostate cancer in men, this would be as much of an issue," said a professor.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (2)]

Lauren Fant, left, 18, winces as she has her third and final application of the HPV vaccine administered by nurse Stephanie Pearson at a doctor's office Tuesday, Dec. 18 2007, in Marietta, Ga. (AP Photo/John Amis)

The new HPV vaccine may prevent warts, but it causes debates. (Shutterstock)

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There's probably enough data to say it is effective for the prevention of genital warts. They're not fun, but they're not at the same level as cancer or lethal infectious diseases. - Diane M. Harper, professor of medicine at the University of Missouri at Kansas City

For girls, you can go right to protection against cervical cancer. That's a powerful argument. For boys, part of it is an altruistic argument. - Gregory Zimet, Indiana Univesity professor studying the vaccine for Merck

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Push to Use HPV Vaccine on Boys Stirs Debate