BDA calls for further expansion of HPV vaccine availability among males

The British Dental Association (BDA) has called for a further extension to the availability of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among boys.

It has welcomed the news that the government will be expanding the HPV vaccination programme to include men who have sex with men aged 16 to 40 via genitourinary medicine clinics, but said this alone will not be enough.

Health campaigners including the BDA have called for a gender-neutral approach to vaccination, which would ensure 400,000 school-age boys are not left at risk. Moreover, it is believed that the expanded programme could be delivered for just 22 million pounds per year.

The BDA noted that by the time adult men reach a sexual health clinic, it is often too late to protect them from HPV, whereas blanket immunisation of boys and girls would ensure much greater effectiveness.

Dr Graham Stokes, chair of the BDA Health and Science Committee, said: "Dentists believe in prevention, and for a modest investment we can ensure both sexes are protected from the agent behind one in 20 cancer cases."