HPV Vaccine: Why Both Girls and Boys Should Be Vaccinated Against Cancer

Across the world, doctors and researchers are fighting an intense battle against an invisible enemy that claims the lives of hundreds of thousands of women every year. The enemy is called human papillomavirus – or simply HPV. But here's the good news: We have a weapon that works. The question is, are we using it well enough? Especially here in India, a country that has shown leadership in vaccination drives, we need to ask ourselves if we're doing enough to protect our children.

HPV Vaccine: More Than Just Cervical Cancer

When we talk about HPV vaccination, most people immediately think of cervical cancer. And that's right – HPV is responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer. In fact, around 74,000 women in India die from this cancer every year, and globally the numbers are even higher. But HPV is capable of causing much more. The virus is also a leading cause of cancers of the mouth, throat, and genitals in both women and men. Yet, only a handful of countries have truly succeeded in vaccinating boys on a large scale.

Boys Must Be Part of the Fight Too

Leading oncologists across India are now strongly advocating that boys should also be offered the HPV vaccine. Their argument is crystal clear: Boys carry and transmit the virus, and they themselves are at risk of developing mouth and throat cancers. In fact, recent research shows that HPV-related oral cancers are on the rise among men in India and worldwide. So why have we focused only on girls for so long? It's time for a mindset shift. Public health experts emphasize that we need to adopt a broader approach here at home. It's about herd immunity – the more people vaccinated, the harder it is for the virus to spread and cause harm.

What Does the World Health Organization Say?

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has repeatedly stressed that we have a historic opportunity to eliminate a cancer for the first time. The goal is for 90% of girls globally to be fully vaccinated against HPV by the time they turn 15. And more and more countries are now including boys in their national immunization programs. This requires political will and a concerted effort to educate the public that the vaccine is safe and truly effective.

Where Does India Stand?

In India, we have had our share of challenges with the HPV vaccine. After initial hurdles and misinformation, we are now getting back on track. HPV vaccination is gradually being integrated into state-level immunization programs, with experts pushing for inclusion in the national universal immunization program. While some states have made progress, we are not there yet. Vaccination coverage is still lower than desired, and this costs lives. Every time a 12-year-old misses the vaccine, we increase the risk of seeing more cases of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases 20 to 30 years down the line.

• Cervical cancer: Nearly 100% of cases are caused by HPV.
• Mouth and throat cancer: HPV is responsible for a growing proportion, especially in men.
• Genital cancers: Cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, and anus can be triggered by HPV.
• Genital warts: A benign but troublesome consequence of HPV infection.

It's important to remember that the vaccine works best when given before someone becomes sexually active. That's why it's offered to children around the ages of 9 to 14. But even if you're older, you can still benefit from vaccination – talk to your doctor.

The Future is Bright If We Act Now

Imagine a world without cervical cancer. It's not a utopia – it's a realistic goal if we achieve high vaccination rates while ensuring that women still go for regular screening. Although the vaccine covers the most dangerous HPV types, there is always a small residual risk. But with a united effort, we can save tens of thousands of lives every single year. Right here in India. It just requires that all of us – parents, doctors, policymakers – take responsibility and say yes to vaccines when they are offered. Because as they say, prevention is always better than cure.

So the next time you hear about the HPV vaccine, remember it's not just about girls and cervical cancer. It's about protecting an entire generation – both girls and boys – from a range of serious cancers. We have the means, we have the knowledge, and we have the opportunity. Let's seize it.