The American Academy of Pediatrics now says all boys as well as girls should get the HPV shot between the ages of 11 and 12, and that older boys be given the option of catch-up shots.
Human papillomavirus is transmitted sexually and linked to cervical cancer in women, but certain HPV strains are also the cause of many head and neck cancers, particularly in men.
Doctors say the vaccine is most effective in creating antibodies in preteens.
"If you wait until you think you they're sexually active, you may miss the opportunity to protect them," said Dr. Michael Brady of Nationwide Children's Hospital.
Another change: a meningococcal booster shot at age 16.
Meningitis is a potentially deadly bacterial infection. Doctors say children should get vaccinated at age 11, but the vaccine weakens over time, leaving as many as half of those kids unprotected by age 16.
Some colleges have already made the shot mandatory.
The new vaccination schedule also recommends flu shots, even for those children with mild egg allergies, studies have shown the vaccines don't contain enough of the offending protein to provoke an allergic reaction; however, those with more severe egg allergies should talk to their doctor.
Children aren't the only targets for the new vaccine schedule. So are adults, including pregnant women. That's because their babies can be protected against the flu and whooping cough if those mothers get the shots.
In addition, anyone under the age of 60 who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes should be vaccinated against hepatitis B, since they have double the risk for getting the disease.
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