HPV is one of the most common sexually-transmitted infections. It can be passed through any form of sexual contact, including kissing. Since the HPV vaccine was originally approved only for girls there has been an impression it is more common in women than men. A 2017 study found that one in nine American men are infected with the oral form of HPV. In fact, researchers estimated that men may have higher rates of oral HPV infection than women.

“From a public health perspective, there is no reason why boys or men should not get the HPV vaccine,” says Dr. Paul Blumenthal, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Stanford. The current vaccine provides protection against several different strains of HPV, and it can also prevent cancers known to be caused by HPV, including cervical cancers, penile cancers and some head and neck cancers, he says.

“The vaccine is best given before ‘sexual debut’ in order to provide the maximum protection against all the HPV subtypes that the respective vaccines cover,” Blumenthal says. Once sexual activity begins there’s evidence that women and men are rapidly exposed to one of more HPV subtypes, so the vaccine becomes less effective. But there may still be other HPV subtypes that a person may not have been exposed yet that the vaccine can help protect against. “While the vaccine may not be as effective as before, it’s not a complete waste,” he says.

Then why isn’t the vaccine offered to everyone? Simply put, it’s not economically feasible to do so. Instead, regulators and public health officials focus on protecting those at the highest risk of infection. You can still get the HPV vaccine if you don’t fit the current vaccine recommendation in the U.S., but insurance companies are unlikely to cover it. You’ll just have to shop around a little to get it.

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.