Vaccination programme extended to boys in Dudley
Health bosses in Dudley have confirmed the NHS's human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination programme is being extended to include boys aged 12 to 13 from next month.
Parents of girls and boys aged 12 and 13 should look out for information from their children's school about the vaccine and timings for the jab.
Councillor Nicolas Barlow, Dudley Council's cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: "I’m delighted that the HPV vaccination programme has been extended to include boys, which could save thousands of lives for the next generation.
"I would encourage parents and pupils to take up this opportunity and play their part in fighting against the human papilloma virus."
Across the world, around five per cent of all cancers are linked to the HPV virus. Estimates suggest that the HPV vaccine programme could prevent more than 64,000 cervical cancers and nearly 50,000 non-cervical cancers by 2058.
Girls have been offered the HPV vaccine for free from the NHS since 2008. So far, 10 million doses of HPV vaccine have been given to young women in the country – meaning more than 80 per cent of women aged 15 to 24 years old have received the vaccine.
In Dudley, the first dose of the HPV vaccine will be offered to boys and girls aged 12 and 13 in year eight. The second dose can be given anytime between six and 24 months after. Two doses are needed to be fully protected.
