HPV Vaccine Now Available for Men, Too

Since 2006, University Health Services has offered the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to women. Thanks to an FDA decision in October, UHS can now provide the HPV vaccine to men under age 27. The HPV vaccine can help protect men against genital warts and prevent men from transmitting HPV to their partner(s).

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. Most of the time men or women who get HPV don’t develop any signs or symptoms, and those who do will usually recover fully. However, some types of HPV can cause genital warts or certain types of cancer.

Gardasil, the HPV vaccine available at UHS, is given as a series of three injections over six months. At UHS the charge for each injection is $135. It’s not necessary for the injections to be given by the same doctor, so patients can start, finish, or have the complete series of vaccinations at UHS or at home.

The HPV vaccine protects against four types of HPV in both men and women, although these types of HPV can affect men and women differently. For men, the HPV vaccine helps protect against genital warts. In women, the vaccine protects against genital warts; precancerous conditions on the cervix or vulva (dysplasia); and cervical, vulvar, or vaginal cancers.

Common side effects of the vaccine include headache, fever, pain at the injection site, itching, redness, swelling, and bruising, all of which are typically mild and disappear quickly.

If you are interested in the vaccine, call (608) 265-5600 to schedule an appointment with the immunization clinic.

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