Human papillomavirus vaccination in males.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and is frequently presented clinically as anogenital warts in both males and females. There is a high rate of transmission of HPV in female partners of men with pre-existing penile warts, and HPV infection in men has been shown to contribute to HPV infection and subsequent cervical disease in women. HPV is associated with significant morbidity and represents a substantial healthcare burden. Data indicate that males experienced a longer duration of genital warts and incurred greater treatment costs than women. The quadrivalent vaccine, the first vaccine to be approved for use in adolescent and young women aged 9 to 26 years for the prevention of cervical cancer and genital warts, targets HPV types -6, and -11 (responsible for genital warts), and HPV types-16 and -18 (involved in cervical cancer). Pharmacoeconomic data determined that routine administration of a prophylactic quadrivalent HPV vaccine to 12-year-old males and females in addition to catch-up vaccination of 12- to 24-year-old males and females, within the setting of organized cervical cancer screening within the US, was the most cost-effective strategy. It is also anticipated that widespread use of vaccines that offer protection against HPV-6 and -11 could potentially reduce the workload at STD clinics by approximately 10% without a substantial impact on the diagnosis and treatment of other STDs. To optimally control transmission of HPV, consideration should be given to vaccinating males as well as females.