The UK Government has announced that it will extend the HPV vaccine to boys in England.

This follows last week's similar announcements from the governments of Wales and Scotland.

Ian Green, Chief Executive at Terrence Higgins Trust, said:
 
‘We welcome this announcement by Steve Brine/the UK Government, which marks a real win for the health of boys across the country. This decision puts an end to a health inequality that until now has been putting the health of boys at risk.
 
‘Terrence Higgins Trust has campaigned on equal access to the HPV vaccine for years now, as the right to protection from HPV should not be based on someone’s gender or their ability to pay privately for the vaccine. 
 
‘Public Health England data has demonstrated that the HPV vaccine has been crucial in reducing the number of HPV-related cancers among girls. Until now, boys had not been afforded the same protection. 
 
‘The UK Government must urgently implement this decision to ensure boys are vaccinated as soon as possible, in a programme that should be made available alongside the existing girls’ immunisation programme in schools.’