By Andrew M. Potts
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) will determine if the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil, should be included in the National Immunisation Program for boys.
Gardasil is currently administered to girls when they begin high school to prevent cervical cancer. HPV, however, also causes throat cancer, genital and anal warts, and cancer of the penis.
Gardasil is approved in Australia for use in boys and men aged nine to 26. Without subsidy, it costs $450 a treatment, and most parents are unaware of the protection it offers boys.
Professor Andrew Grulich, of the National Centre in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research, told the Star Observer that few boys outside those from medical families were being immunised.
“The boys who are getting it more than any others are the sons of doctors because doctors are aware of the enormous benefits of this vaccine for boys,” Grulich said. “There is absolutely no doubt it will prevent most anal cancer, that it will prevent quite a bit of penile cancer, and that it will prevent almost all anal and genital warts.”
Note from SaneVax: This story is filled with typical half-truths and some out and out falsehoods. Please, do your research before you decide if Gardasil is right for you. Know the risk of various cancers in your area. Know the risk factors – a lifestyle change may be all you need to be at very minimal risk. Learn what the potential side effects of HPV vaccination can be. Then, make an informed choice. You can always choose vaccination; you cannot choose to unvaccinate.
Leave a Reply