New survey highlights dentists’ support for HPV vaccination programme expansion
A new survey has highlighted widespread support for the proposed expansion of the HPV vaccination programme in the dental community. According to a poll, which has been published by HPV Action as part of World Immunisation Week, 97 percent of dentists surveyed support the expansion of the programme, which would include boys, as well as teenage girls.
Currently, the vaccination is available for girls aged 12 and 13, but health experts are keen to expand the immunisation scheme to include boys. HPV (human papilloma virus) is a very common virus. In the vast majority of cases, it won’t contribute to an elevated risk of health problems, but some strains are linked to certain types of cancer. The vaccine was originally brought in to try and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, but many believe that it should be available for boys, as well as girls, as HPV can also increase the risk of oral cancer. Mouth cancer has become increasingly common in the last decade, with many more cases identified in younger people, and this is largely believed to be due to the prevalence of HPV.
The survey was sent out to members of the Faculty of General Dental Practice, the British Medical Association and the British Dental Association. The findings show that 97 percent of dentists and 94 percent of GPs support the move to provide boys with the vaccine.
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