RSPH has warmly welcomed the launch of Jabs for the Boys, an initiative aiming to increase awareness of diseases in men caused by the human papillomavirus. HPV causes thousands of cases of cancer in men every year in the UK but there is very little public awareness of the virus, especially in relation to men.

The initiative will look to boost public knowledge and provide essential advice to boys, parents of boys and adult men about HPV-related diseases and HPV vaccination. Increasing awareness of HPV and the HPV vaccine is more crucial than ever as the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) continues to reconsider its original decision not to extend the national HPV vaccination programme to adolescent boys, against the advice of RSPH and the HPV Action coalition.

Girls have been vaccinated against HPV for free as part of a national programme since 2008, but RSPH and HPV Action strongly believe that universal vaccination for boys and girls is the only way to achieve complete and equitable protection. Eleven countries already have such programmes.

The facts on HPV:

• HPV causes 5% of all cancers in men and women.
• There are around 2,000 cancer cases and 48,000 genital warts cases caused by HPV in men every year in the UK.
• Men can still get HPV from sexual contact with women who have not been vaccinated and in several areas in the UK the vaccination rate for girls is well below 80%, compromising herd protection and leaving both men and women at risk.
• Only one in eight adults in the UK associate HPV with diseases that affect men.  

Shirley Cramer CBE, Chief Executive, RSPH said: “We were exceptionally disappointed by the initial decision of the JCVI in July not to recommend the extension of HPV vaccination to all adolescent boys. While we wait indefinitely for the final decision, the Jabs for the Boys initiative represents a welcome step towards increasing public awareness of HPV. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that men, boys and their parents understand the risks that HPV poses and the benefits of the HPV vaccine: HPV-related cancers are increasing and boys and men remain at risk. Jabs for the Boys serves as a vital resource providing expert advice and accurate information.”

Dr Nigel Carter OBE, RSPH Trustee, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation and member of the Jabs for the Boys expert advisory group, said: “HPV is most likely passed on through sexual contact and although condoms may reduce the risk of catching the infection, safe sex cannot completely prevent HPV. The most effective way to protect yourself against HPV is by receiving the vaccination but before we make that decision, either for ourselves or a loved one, it is crucial that we go and find out more about the infection and the vaccination itself.

“One of our key principles when creating the guidance for Jabs for the Boys was to only include information based on the best-possible evidence. It means that everything on the website has been checked by medical and other experts and is compiled in line with NHS England Information Standard guidance. HPV-related cancers are on the increase. They affect everybody, both men and women, so it is vitally important that we become more engaged with learning more about it. Jabs for the Boys is an invaluable resource for anybody looking to learn more about HPV.”