LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Merck & Co won U.S. approval to sell its cervical cancer vaccine for prevention of genital warts in boys and young men, the company said on Friday.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the Gardasil vaccine for males ages 9 through 26, Merck said in a statement. Gardasil fights infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer and genital warts.

Gardasil already is sold for girls and women to prevent cervical cancer.

Merck shares fell 5 cents to $33.25 on the New York Stock Exchange at mid-afternoon.