British homosexuals between the ages of 16 and 40 could be offered to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus, a vaccine previously offered to adolescent girls to protect them against cervical cancer. The Joint Commission on Vaccination and Immunization in Great Britain has just made recommendations to this effect which should be sent to the Minister of Health, after public consultation.
Since 2008 in Great Britain, all young girls aged 12 to 13 can be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus. In France, the vaccine is offered to girls aged 11 to 14. On the other hand, boys do not get vaccinated because that “would generate only a minimal benefit for the prevention of the papillomavirus” then explained the Commission on vaccination and immunization.
The latter has therefore just reconsidered its positions because new studies have shown that the HPV vaccine also provides protection against a broad range of other cancers (oral cancer, throat, anus or penis). He therefore now recommends “to set up vaccination for men who have sex with men aged 16 to 40”.
For its part, the Royal Society for Public Health, implored the health authorities to extend this vaccination to all boys and not only to homosexuals. “Vaccinating men who have sex with men will always leave a significant proportion of the population at risk for HPV. Vaccinating all girls and boys is the only way forward and not to expose them at the risk of infection “.