Australia extends HPV vaccine to schoolboys

In what is claimed “a world first” by the Department of Health and Ageing, Australian schoolboys will be able to get treatment with Gardasil (human papillomavirus quadrivalent [types 6, 11, 16, and 18] vaccine, recombinant, from Merck & Co), which will protect them against developing a range of cancers and bolster the effectiveness of this vaccine in women.

Starting next school year, the Gillard government will fund the vaccine for 12 and 13-year-old boys through school-based programs under the National Immunization Program. Year 9 boys will also be able to get the vaccine at school under a catch-up program for the next two years.

Minister for Health Tanya Plibersek said providing the HPV vaccine to boys would protect them and increase the effectiveness of the vaccination program for girls, stating: “Every parent wants their child to be healthy and that is why the Australian government is delivering the best protection we have against HPV related cancer through this vaccine. By building on Australia’s world-class immunization program, we’re stopping preventable HPV related disease and cancers, and that makes a difference to the quality of life of our families.”