In today's health matters, a government panel recommends young boys also get the Human PapillomaVirus vaccine.

The advisory committee on immunization practices voted unanimously to recommend Merck's Gardasil vaccine to avoid getting HPV. The panel advises the centers for disease control and prevention.

Previously the CDC has said doctors are free to use the vaccine on boys, but it has stopped short of recommending routine vaccinations.

Currently the CDC recommends HPV vaccinations made by Merck and GlaxoSmithKline to females between 11 and 26.

Federal health officials usually adopt recommendations made by the committee.