The Gardasil vaccine, given to women to help prevent infection of four types of the human papillomavirus, the main cause of cervical cancer, got the green light from the Food and Drug Administration of the European Union for men as well.

The decision came after the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use of the European Medicine Agency voted to recommend that the vaccine be made available to boys and young men between ages 9 and 26 to prevent genital warts caused by the virus.

“Warts can lower self-esteem and bring fear and embarrassment. The treatment process is painful and even if they are cured successfully, relapse is highly likely,” the company said in a press release.

Gardasil is approved for sale here to women between 9-26 and males from 9-15 for warts already.

(baejisook@heraldcorp.com)