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

Around the world, doctors and researchers are fighting an intense battle against an invisible enemy that claims the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year. The enemy is 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 New Zealand, where we're usually pretty good at keeping on top of our vaccinations.

HPV Vaccine: More Than Just Cervical Cancer

When we talk about the HPV vaccine, most people immediately think of cervical cancer. And it's true – HPV is the cause of nearly all cases of cervical cancer. In fact, around 74,000 women in India die from this cancer every year, and globally, the number is even higher. But HPV is capable of much more than that. 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, like Australia for instance, have really got on top of vaccinating boys.

Boys Should Be in the Fight Too

In Bangalore, one of India's leading oncologists has just made a strong case for offering HPV vaccination to boys as well. His argument is crystal clear: Boys carry and transmit the virus, and they themselves are at risk of developing mouth and throat cancer. In fact, recent research shows that HPV-related mouth cancer is on the rise in men in Western countries. So why have we, for years, only focused on girls? Vaccine Nation, as Americans call themselves, is starting to change its stance, and more experts are pointing out that we should do the same here. It's all about herd immunity – the more people vaccinated, the harder it is for the virus to spread.

What Does the World Health Organization Say?

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has repeatedly stressed that we have a historic opportunity to eradicate a form of cancer for the first time. The goal is for 90% of all 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 programs. This requires political will and a solid effort to educate the public that the vaccine is safe and truly effective.

How Are We Doing in New Zealand?

Here at home, we've had our ups and downs with the HPV vaccine. After a few years of scare stories and declining uptake, we're thankfully back on track. HPV vaccination has been part of the childhood immunisation program for girls since 2008, and for boys since 2017. But we're not there yet. Our uptake is still lower than in neighbouring countries like Australia, and that costs lives. Every time a 12-year-old misses out, we increase the risk of seeing more cases of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases in 20 or 30 years.

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

It's worth remembering that the vaccine works best if you get it before you become sexually active. That's why it's offered to children in Year 7 and 8. 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 fantasy – it's a realistic goal if we achieve high vaccination rates and also ensure women continue to attend screening. Because even though the vaccine covers the most dangerous HPV types, there's always a small residual risk. But with a united effort, we can save tens of thousands of lives every single year. Right here in New Zealand, too. It just requires that all of us – parents, doctors, politicians – take responsibility and say yes to vaccines when they're offered. Because as they say, prevention is better than cure.

So next time you hear about the HPV vaccine, think about the fact that 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 tools, we have the knowledge, and we have the opportunity. Let's grab it.