Government advisers confirm expansion of HPV vaccination programme to include boys
Government advisers have confirmed a planned expansion of the current HPV vaccination programme to protect boys, as well as girls. Currently, teenage girls are vaccinated to protect against cervical cancer, but under new guidelines, the HPV vaccine will be available to boys.
Advisers had previously rejected calls from doctors, dentists and health campaigners, with a committee questioning the cost-effectiveness of an expanded programme. However, recently, the Joint Committee and Immunisation agreed to reconsider plans, and members are now backing vaccination for boys. HPV is a virus, which is linked to several different forms of cancer, and campaigners felt that boys were being let down by the government because they didn’t have access to the immunisation. Certain strains are linked to cervical cancer, but it is known that HPV can increase the risk of up to 20 different types of cancer, including oral cancer.
Research suggests that HPV contributes to approximately 2,000 cases of cancer in males every year, and health organisations were keen to push for greater quality in a bid to reduce rates.
The move has been welcomed by health campaigners, charities and public health and dental groups, and it is hoped that the Department of Health and Social Care will now act to implement the expanded programme rapidly. The immunisation is already available to boys in the US and Australia.
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