Boys to receive HPV vaccine at start of school
Boys in schools across Kent will soon be offered the free Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine for the first time.
More than 10 million doses have been given to girls in England since 2008, when the vaccine became available to young women on the NHS.
But boys aged 12 and 13 will also be eligible from September. The additional injections will lead to the prevention of more than 64,000 cases of cervical cancers and nearly 50,000 non-cervical cancers by 2058 nationwide, it is hoped.
About 5% of all cancers are linked to HPV and although the virus leads to more cases in females, with cervical cancer being a major product, it can also cause cancers which affect boys. The additional jabs for boys are estimated to reduce anal cancer by 4,124, penile cancer by 3,433 and throat cancer by 21,395 in the next 40 years. Studies show the vaccine protects against infection for at least 10 years, but experts predict health benefits could be lifelong. Paula Mclachlan, screening and immunisation manager for Kent and Medway, is encouraging all who have the opportunity to be vaccinated, to take it.
She said: “It has been so successful for girls and lots have been protected and we are protecting even more people by immunising boys too.
Boys will receive their first jab in Year Eight, with the second between six and 24 months after. Parents of girls and boys aged 12 and 13 should look out for information from their children’s school about the vaccine and timings for the jab.