From next year, NSW school boys will have access to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine which will protect them against developing infections that can lead to cancer.

From 2013, boys in Year 7 in all NSW high schools will be offered the HPV vaccine annually. In addition, boys in Year 9 will be offered the vaccine as part of the national ‘catch up’ program in 2013 and 2014.

The NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, said the highly successful vaccine has already seen a drop in the infections that lead to cervical cancer in females. However, as the vaccine only protects against two of several high-risk types of HPV associated with cancer it is vital that women continue to have regular Pap tests.

“The vaccine, which has been available to girls since 2007, is highly effective in preventing the main types of HPV infection and should be given to adolescents before they become sexually active”, said Dr Chant.

“Extending the vaccination program to boys will help protect them against some of the most common types of HPV infection and against developing a range of cancers.”

Associate Professor Kristine Macartney of the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance said that “as well as protecting males from HPV infections, immunising young men will also help protect women from infection”.

“The HPV vaccine is a strong weapon in preventing this common virus that is easily spread during intimate contact with another person,” Associate Professor Kristine Macartney added.

In 2011, 81% of Year 7 girls received at least one dose of the three-dose course of HPV vaccine.

HPV is the name given to a group of viruses that affect both females and males. Most people who are sexually active will have a genital HPV infection at some time in their lives. HPV infection usually causes no symptoms and goes away by itself. However, in rare cases infection can cause life-threatening cancers.

Almost all cases of cervical cancer and genital warts are due to HPV infection. HPV also causes cancers in other parts of the body.

Information kits will be sent to the parents of all NSW schoolboys eligible to receive the vaccine in early 2013. Students in Year 7 will also be offered vaccination against other diseases, including diphtheria-tetanus-whooping cough (dTpa), hepatitis B and varicella (chicken pox).

For more information please visit Immunisation.