Wed, 19/07/2017 - 12:34
Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust is disappointed that the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has not announced a final decision on extending the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to boys. In the interim review released today, the Government’s Advisory committee has said that extending the vaccination will not be cost effective however it is opening a consultation to enable a final decision to be reached.
Robert Music, Chief Executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said: “Diagnoses of cancer in the UK are rising and our NHS is already at breaking point. Extending the current vaccination programme to boys presents an opportunity to reduce diagnoses, and ultimately save lives. While the current vaccination programme may provide males some protection against HPV through herd immunity, this does not benefit men who have sex with men or with unvaccinated women. HPV does not just cause cervical cancer. It is also responsible for other cancers that affect both men and women and this decision could have resulted in increased protection against this devastating disease for boys and girls. While today’s interim recommendation is disappointing, it is positive to see that the Committee recognises arguments made on the issue of equality and has referred this to the Department of Health for consideration. I hope this will lead to a gender-neutral vaccination being made available as soon as possible.
“It is equally as important that we maintain focus on increasing uptake of the vaccine among girls. While uptake is high, it has fallen in the last year and significant variation exists across the country. This must remain a priority if we are to protect future generations from cervical cancer, a disease that currently claims two lives every day. We also know through our research that knowledge and understanding surrounding HPV is low and this needs to change.”
The Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes 99.7% of all cervical cancers and the current vaccination programme in the UK offers girls the HPV vaccine in school. The vaccine protects against two high-risk types of HPV (16 and 18) that cause at least 70% of all cervical cancer. However, HPV is also responsible for cancer such as anal, penile and head and neck cancers which affect both men and women.