The makers of the HPV vaccine Gardasil are trying to get approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to give the vaccine to boys and young men, The Washington Post reported last week.

Genital human papillomarvirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the U.S. and can cause cervical cancer in women. The current debate centers around whether the benefits of vaccination for boys and their sexual partners outweigh the financial burden and the possible health risks associated with the vaccine. 

In a push to get the FDA to approve the vaccine for males ages 9 to 26, Merck, the manufacturer of Gardasil, presented a study it funded that showed the vaccine was 90 percent effective in preventing HPV in men.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s committee plans to meet in June to discuss whether boys should get the vaccine—which costs about $500 for three shots and the associated office visits. The American Academy of Pediatrics will also consider cost-effectiveness in deciding whether to endorse Gardisil for boys. 

Our Health blog previously reported on the debate surrounding Gardasil and possible adverse events. We recommend the HPV vaccine for females ages 11 to 26, preferably before girls become sexually active, to help prevent cervical cancer, genital warts, and abnormal Pap smears.

Read the rest of this post on our Health blog.