[arjie]

Every time HPV comes up, someone says “guys should get the vaccine too” but I’ve never managed to succeed. Even after last time someone mentioned it I tried and I got the absolutely worst result where they recorded me as being given it but then said it wasn’t meant for men my age. Had to get it removed from the record by the One Medical people I saw next.

And when I saw them, they said it wouldn’t be covered under insurance and would be like $1.2k. I intended to just get it on my next visit to India but ended up not traveling.

I don’t get it. Is this like those Internet memes “don’t mess with the postal police” and stuff or is it a real thing? Any guy in their late 30s in the US who managed to get it?

[ggm]

American experience. It's free in Australia for people aged 12-25 and men who have sex with men (increased risks) and nothing like that price for private script.

[jrgoff]

I got it in the US in my late 30s or early 40s - I think it was even at One Medical (though I assume One Medical may be fairly different now after Amazon took it over). It was covered by my insurance.

[iknowstuff]

Yes I got Gardasil 9 for free in San Francisco.

[cmrdporcupine]

Here in Ontario it's just offered to all grade 7s, boy or girls.

[toomuchtodo]

I (male, 40s) paid Planned Parenthood in Florida for the three Gardasil doses out of pocket after the male age limit was raised to 45 circa October 2018 (as I wanted to ensure I was vaccinated before exiting the permitted age limit). Insurance covered it for my kids with no cost at their pediatrician.

Ask your doctor, get a quote, if you’re unsure what the cost might be. Your insurance may cover it with no cost to you.

https://sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2018posts/fda-approves-hpv-vac...

[naturalmovement]

Are you a divorced dad dipping your wick left and right or did you get it merely for the sake of doing so?

The reason insurance does not pay for it at that age is because it makes no sense.

[toomuchtodo]

Married ~20 years and ethically non monogamous. My partner and I date women together and solo. ~$1k to protect other people is cheap and is looked upon favorably by potential partners (I am able to provide vaccination and most recent STI test results on demand when asked).

Even if you’re monogamous, life is long and divorce common. I walk through cheap optionality doors whenever possible, and recommend others do to. YMMV.

8 facts about divorce in the United States - https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/10/16/8-facts-a... - October 16th, 2025

> Divorce is an important aspect of family life in the United States that shapes living arrangements, financial well-being and parenting. In 2023, over 1.8 million Americans divorced. Additionally, a third of Americans who have ever been married have also experienced divorce.

> Many adults who divorce go on to form new families through cohabitation, remarriage or having more children. For instance, most adults who have divorced (66%) have gone on to remarry. And among those who have divorced and are currently remarried, 46% have had a child with their new spouse.

[naturalmovement]

Fair enough. I don't judge you.

But know that your lifestyle is outside the norm (I had to Google your description to make sure I understood aka open marriage) so your assumptions are slanted through that lens.

A lot of posters here and their families live very different lives and their choices likewise represent that, so their opinions are equally valid. Their needs are different.

[toomuchtodo]

No offense intended, I wouldn’t care if judged, in any setting. Data has value, nothing else does. An opinion will mean nothing when faced with a cancer diagnosis, either self or child, and I’m not here to change hearts or minds (mental models are rigid, humans are emotion vs data driven); only to share data, and consume data. Go where the data takes you, assuming valid data.

If you’ve made a good choice based on the data, you win, well done. If you haven’t, “we win or we learn.” Better luck next time. Try to win more than you learn.