Call for boys to be vaccinated against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

There has been a lot in the media this week suggesting that boys should now be vaccinated against the human papilloma virus (HPV) after a study found that 50% of boys are infected with the virus. The study was carried out by researchers in Florida and the results published in the medical journal, The Lancet.
HPV causes 99% of all cervical cancers. Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix (the entrance to the womb) and the HPV vaccine has been shown to prevent pre- cancerous legions caused by HPV types 16 and 18. The UK currently has a vaccination programme for girls age 12 - 18 years, but boys are not included in the current campaign. This new study has raised the debate on whether it is cost effective for the NHS to include boys in the National Vaccination programme.
A few weeks ago there was a very interesting documentary on the BBC presented by actress Jaime Winstone. The programme highlighted the increase in throat cancers caused by infection with HPV through oral sex.Again the HPV vaccine was discussed and Professor Stanley on the programme suggested the vaccine should be available to both men and women. However, David Salisbury, Director of Immunisation, said the government had no current plans to extend the scheme.
In our clinic we have recently seen an increase in the numbers of enquiries about the HPV vaccine from both men and women aged over 18 years who are not included in the NHS vaccination programme. Sussex Travel Clinic offers the Gardasil vaccine. Gardasil is the only cervical cancer vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of papillomavirus: 2 types cause 70% or cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. The vaccine is given on day 0, 1-2 months later and a booster dose at 6 months.
Gardasil is licensed for use in women up to the age of 45 and for use in boys age 9 - 15 years.