MASON CITY,IA-Girls aren't the only ones who can protect themselves against the sexual transmitted disease called human papillomavirus or HPV.Boys and young men can now use the HPV vaccine.
HPV can cause genital warts, anal cancer and some other types of cancer in males.
The vaccine reduces their risk of getting HPV.
The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health tells us they have had this available for a while, but not many people don't know about it.
Karen Crimmings says, "we also have the vaccine available for men and they spread it as well. So we are kind of indirectly protecting the women by getting the men vaccinated too."
The HPV vaccine is available for males nine to twenty six years old.
The best time to get it is before a person becomes sexual active.
