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HPV Shots Available For Males
< < Back toHPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease; it is a virus that can cause cancer and genital warts.
In the past, girls as young as nine have been able to get vaccinated against the disease, but now the HPV vaccine is available for both sexes.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the vaccination for young boys ages 9 to 12.
More than 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV; about 6 million people are infected every year.
Each year the virus causes 25,000 cases of cancer among men and women.
OU Campus Care Supervisor Karen Robinson says there's a reason for vaccinating early.
"They want try to get it before the children become sexually active because then they are less likely to get the disease," Robinson says.
The CDC also recommends that young adults get the shots.
It is free for every student who has OU student health insurance.
Students who are not covered have to pay for the three shots–$600 dollars.
To increase awareness about the HPV vaccination, the Graduate Student Senate is thinking of starting an HPV campaign.