HPV vaccine to be extended to boys

hpv vaccineThe HPV vaccine will be extended to all teenage boys and girls, to help protect them against deadly cancers.

Since 2008, the vaccination has only been given to teenage girls because HPV can cause cervical cancer.

However the Mail Online has reported that Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will give the go-ahead for vaccines to be extended to boys on the NHS after it has been linked to 5% of all cancers worldwide.

‘Protecting boys from HPV would be a welcome sign that ministers are finally willing to walk the walk on prevention,’ BDA chair, Mick Armstrong, said.

‘Over 30 people in Britain are diagnosed with oral cancer every day, and dentists are often the first to spot the tell-tale signs.

‘We now have an historic opportunity to protect all our children from the life changing and often fatal diseases HPV can cause.

‘Dither and delay on gender neutral vaccination has cost lives.

‘Health professionals are now looking to Government for swift rollout of a national programme.’

HPV vaccine

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) had previously refused to extend the vaccination for HPV to boys.

Despite admitting that his would provide further protection to men against certain cancers, JCVI deemed the programme not to be cost effective.

 

 

The BDA and fellow members of the HPV Action coalition are urgently seeking clarification on when the jabs will be offered.

Currently there are 15 countries already vaccinating boys or plan to do so:

  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Barbados
  • Bermuda
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • Croatia
  • Czech Republic
  • Italy
  • Liechtenstein
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Serbia
  • Switzerland
  • United States of America.

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