Doctors and medical groups have urged Hong Kong to include boys in its HPV vaccine support, saying parents should arrange vaccination for their children early. The call was made at a 6 September press conference involving the Hong Kong Chinese Medical Association, the Anti-Cancer Society and education representatives.
The current HPV vaccination subsidy in Hong Kong covers girls, according to a report. Organisations and doctors cited in the report are calling for boys to be included in the support as well.
Medical organisations said protecting boys and girls could reduce the spread of HPV in the population and may indirectly protect girls who cannot be vaccinated. Doctors also encouraged males to receive the vaccine because infections may produce few symptoms and therefore be overlooked.
The reports described HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer as showing an upward trend. One report said cases of oropharyngeal cancer had risen by nearly 40 per cent over the previous 20 years, but the reports did not provide the underlying study, case definition or geographic coverage for that figure.
The reports said HPV can spread through intimate skin and mucosal contact, meaning people who have had sex may be infected. They also said high-risk HPV types may be linked to cancers including oral, penile, vulval, anal and cervical cancers. These points were presented as general health information rather than new local cancer statistics.
Doctors recommended using school talks and other forms of education to give students and parents information about HPV and cancer prevention, alongside encouraging vaccination among males.
The groups’ appeal is for earlier vaccination, expanded support for boys and stronger communication in schools. The reports did not state whether the Government would review the subsidy or provide details on any policy change.