In a world first, the Federal Government has announced Australian schoolboys will be able to start receiving the Gardasil vaccine, which will protect them against developing a range of cancers while bolstering the effectiveness of the vaccine in women.

 

The vaccine has proven successful in protecting against four important genotypes of the human papillomavirus, which can cause genital warts and cervical cancer.

 

Starting next year, the Federal Government will fund the vaccine for 12 and 13 year-old boys through school based programs under the National Immunisation Program. Year 9 boys will also receive 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.

 

“Already the HPV vaccine has had an impact – significantly reducing the number of lesions that lead to cervical cancer amongst women in the vaccinated age group. It is estimated that a quarter of new infections will be avoided by extending the vaccine to boys,” said Ms Plibersek.

 

The HPV vaccination program for boys is expected to cost $21.1 million over four years. This will include an information campaign, a vaccine register and monitoring of adverse reactions.