HPV vaccine now available for boys
A South Auckland school is leading the way in working to prevent young people from getting cancer.
Greenmeadows Intermediate School in Manurewa is backing a Ministry of Health programme offering the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil to male pupils at no cost.
HPV causes cancers, such as mouth and throat cancer, in men and women and can cause penile and anal cancers in men, according to the ministry.
Greenmeadows principal Cathy Chalmers says her school, like others, has offered the vaccine to girls in year 8 to prevent against cervical cancer since 2008. She’s pleased it’s now being offered to boys.
‘‘Often in our communities people don’t understand or know about what vaccines are available. It’s about educating them and raising awareness to help our families make informed decisions for their children.’’
Public health nurses will soon run a professional development course for the school’s staff so they’re able to answer any questions parents and pupils might have.
They will also talk to pupils about the vaccine, which will be administered to those whose parents consent, in two doses in March and September.
‘‘We see it as our obligation to make sure the community is educated so boys and their parents can make an informed choice,’’ Chalmers says. ’’This is about preventing cancer.
‘‘It’s about the right of the parent to choose and a case of getting the information out there so they can decide for themselves.’’
Chalmers says the male pupils will be given an information pack and consent form to take home.
School staff will then follow up with parents to encourage them to make a decision on whether they want their son to be vaccinated.
Manurewa MP Louisa Wall encouraged the school to take up the ministry’s offer to vaccinate male pupils.
‘‘I believe it’s the right of every child to have access to something that will prevent them from getting cancer,’’ she says.
‘‘It’s about an active process and engagement, not just sending a newsletter home. This school put up their hands and is leading the way in helping to educate the community more broadly.’’