The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising parents of young boys to get their sons vaccinated for the human papilloma virus.

The recommendation for the Atlanta-based agency’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices says boys as young as 9 years old should get vaccinated for HPV – the number one sexually transmitted disease in the United States.

HPV has been linked to cervical and throat cancer and most recently heart disease.

A new study released Monday found that HPV may increase a woman’s odds for heart disease even if she doesn’t have any of the cardiovascular risk factors.

The HPV vaccine was originally recommended for women between the ages of 9 and 26 to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. The vaccine is given in three doses and also protects against genital warts, anal, vaginal and vulvar cancer, according to the CDC.

At least half of all sexually active people will contract HPV in their lives.