A recommendation that all boys in the United States receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (BMJ 2011;343:d7068, doi:10.1136/bmj.d7068) has been challenged by two medical organisations that raise questions about the financial interests of guideline writers, politicians, and organisations promoting the vaccine.

John Brehany, executive director of the Catholic Medical Association, and Maricela Moffitt, its president elect, wrote in the 3 November issue of the National Catholic Register that “Merck has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to medical societies like the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to help persuade key decision-makers to encourage HPV immunization.”

Corporate reports show that Merck, which makes the quadrivalent HPV vaccine Gardasil, contributed $477 000 (£300 000; €350 000) in programme support, publication distribution, and research awards to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists …