Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which of the following statements about the HPV vaccine is incorrect?

1. The first dose is recommended at age 11 to 12 years

2. The vaccine is not complete until 3 doses have been administered

3. The minimum age the vaccine can be given is 9 years

4. The CDC does not recommend the HPV vaccine for males

The correct answer is: The CDC does not recommend the HPV vaccine for males

The assertion that the CDC does not recommend the HPV vaccine for males is incorrect because the CDC actually recommends the HPV vaccine for both males and females. The vaccine is an essential tool in preventing human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, which are linked to various cancers, including cervical cancer in women and several cancers in men, such as oropharyngeal cancers and anal cancers. The recommendation includes vaccination for boys and men typically starting at ages 11 to 12, similar to females, and through age 21 for males who did not receive the vaccine at the recommended ages. Additionally, the vaccine can be given to males up to age 26 and, in some cases, to individuals aged 27 through 45 based on shared clinical decision-making. This wide recommendation highlights the importance of the vaccine as a preventive measure regardless of gender. In contrast, the other statements reflect accurate guidelines regarding the HPV vaccine: it is recommended for preteens, the vaccine series is ideally completed in three doses, and it can be initiated at the age of 9.