PULSE : declared in Expanding HPV vaccine to teenage boys ‘not cost effective’, says official advice

The HPV vaccination should not be extended to boys as it is not cost effective, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended. Ian Green, chief executive of the Terrence Higgins Trust, said: 'We are deeply disappointed by this short-sighted recommendation to deny teenage boys the potentially life-saving HPV vaccine. The JCVI based its conclusion on a cost-effectiveness analysis, which found extending the HPV vaccine to boys would not meet the NICE cost-effectiveness threshold of £20,000 per quality adjusted life year. 'To eradicate HPV and protect people from related cancers, we need protection for boys and girls before they become sexually active. The only way to offer them effective protection is a universal vaccination programme for boys.'The JCVI statement was also met with criticism from charities such as the Terrence Higgins Trust and Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust.

Refusing boys HPV vaccine saves the NHS cash but is bad science

The Vaccine in question protects against HPV (human papillomavirus), and was one of the first immunisations to prevent a form of cancer. To eliminate the risk of an illness before it even begins is the ultimate in rational medicine. Dr P. Marazzi/SPLVaccines are one of the most important advances in medical history. This virus, which How ridiculous, then, that when we have a vaccine that can defeat a really nasty disease, in the form of cancers of the genitals and mouth, we are failing to get full benefit from it.


Critics said vaccinating boys could help reduce the risk still further. But the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) found little evidence to justify treating boys too. Reported cases of human papilloma virus (HPV) - thought to cause about 80% of cervical cancers - have fallen sharply since girls were given the vaccine. Image copyright DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARYA decision not to vaccinate boys against a cancer-causing sexually transmitted infection has attracted fierce criticism. Doctor's call to 'equally protect' boys with HPV vaccineGirls' cancer jab could help also boys, say teachersHPV vaccinations could lead to 90% drop in cervical cancerAcross the UK, all girls aged 12-13 are offered HPV vaccination as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.


collected by :Lucy William

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