Dentists hail JCVI recommendation for HPV vaccination for boys but ask for fast roll-out
Following the recommendation on 18 July 2018 that school-age-boys in the United Kingdom should be offered a vaccination against the cancer causing Human Papillomavirus (HPV), dental leaders are calling for the government to move quickly to implement a programme.
The recommendation, which has been under consideration since 2013, was made by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and will mean extending immunisation to adolescent boys (12-13 years) alongside girls, after concluding that a gender-neutral programme is likely to be cost-effective in the UK.
This follows recent recommendations from The European Medicines Agency, The World Health Organization and Cochrane Group who have all advised that the HPV vaccination is safe and effective.
Oral Health Foundation says “Too much time has passed”
The Oral Health Foundation is now calling for health ministers to follow the JCVI’s recommendation and implement an effective vaccination programme swiftly. CEO Dr Nigel Carter (below) feels far too much time has already passed in making the decision, leading to hundreds of thousands of boys being put at risk of potentially deadly diseases.
Dr Carter says: “This decision has been an incredibly long time coming and one we firmly believe it will be a significant moment in the ongoing battle against many types of cancer in the UK, but we now need a quick roll out of an effective programme.
“Almost 400,000 boys have gone unvaccinated every year. This has left millions at risk of developing HPV related cancers, many of which are types of cancer on the increase. HPV is one of the leading causes of mouth cancer; which every year more than 7,500 Brits are diagnosed with and claims more than 2,000 lives – more than testicular and cervical cancer combined.”
A quick implementation could now bring to and end what the Oral Health Foundation has labelled ‘a dangerously discriminatory and unfair HPV vaccination programme in Britain, one which has left millions of boys and men unprotected from the biggest sexually transmitted infection in the world.
BDA welcomes the news
The British Dental Association has welcomed official confirmation that Government advisors have finally recommended funding the vaccinations for boys – subject to ministers negotiating an effective rate on bulk purchase of the vaccine.
The BDA has been a leading voice in the call for a gender-neutral approach to the vaccinations, which are currently provided to school age girls as protection from cervical cancer. HPV has emerged as the leading cause of throat cancers, especially among young people, and rates are rising steeply overall. The condition is linked to 5% of all cancers worldwide, including some that affect only men.
Over 30 people in Britain are diagnosed with oral (including mouth and throat) cancers every day. Over the last decade, oral cancer incidence rates have increased by almost a quarter (23%) in the UK, making it one of the fastest rising types of cancer, and has higher incidence among men. Around nine out of 10 oral cancer cases are linked to preventable causes like smoking, alcohol and contracting HPV.
BDA says government advisors at the JCVI have delayed recommendations to expand the programme in recent years and have received widespread criticism for questioning the cost-effectiveness of vaccinating boys, based on unpublished, flawed and out of date modelling.
The BDA has urged UK and all devolved governments to press ahead on implementation. 15 countries are already vaccinating boys or plan to do so. These include Australia, Austria, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Italy, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland and the United States of America.
BDA Chair Mick Armstrong (above) said: “Every year 400,000 boys have been left unprotected from the life-threatening conditions fuelled by HPV. Finally, all our children can benefit from a universal vaccination programme.
“Oral cancer claims more lives than car accidents, and men are twice as likely as women to develop it. Dentists are often the first to see the tell-tale signs and have fought to see prevention put into practice.
“Too many children have missed out as government advisors dragged their feet on extending the programme. Further delay will only cost lives. Health professionals expect swift rollout of a national programme.”
BSDHT says the cause is “Close to our hearts”
The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) happily welcomes the decision. BSDHT President Helen Minnery (above) said: “As one of the 47 patient and professional organisations participating in HPV Action, this is a cause that is truly close to our hearts, so we are thrilled that the desired conclusion has been reached.
“HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease, so extending the vaccine to boys is likely to make a huge difference. High street pharmacies have already started to offer the vaccine to those who are unable to receive the vaccine as part of the national programme, and these measures will ensure that those who need the protection most are able to receive it.
“Professionals must remain vigilant for the signs of oral cancer despite these recent measures, as many people will remain unvaccinated. However, this is a fantastic step forward in the fight against HPV and one that should be widely applauded.”
