This week, the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation (JCVI) announced its recommendation that boys should receive the HPV vaccination at the same time as girls as part of the schools-based vaccination programme. 

As a result, the Welsh Government has confirmed that it will be rolling out the programme to boys.

Sarah Fuhrmann, partnership manager for Terrence Higgins Trust in Wales, said:  

‘We welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s announcement that he accepts the recommendation of the JCVI and will be fully extending the schools-based HPV vaccination programme to boys as soon as possible.

‘Wales led the way last year in introducing a national HPV vaccination programme for gay and bisexual men so we are glad to see the same decisiveness in acting to protect boys from HPV-related cancers and genital warts. 

‘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 sex or their ability to pay privately for the vaccine. 

‘Public health data shows that the vaccine has been effective in reducing the incidence of HPV-related cancers and genital warts among girls and boys deserve that protection too.’