HPV jab for gay men trials in England

27th May 2016 - Trials offering HPV vaccination for men who have sex with men in some parts of England have been announced to help protect against some cancers.

The jab was first recommended by government vaccination expert advisers in 2014. Wales announced it would be made available late last year, and Scotland followed with an announcement in March.

HPV vaccination is routinely offered to girls across the UK during secondary school, primarily to protect against human papilloma virus (HPV) and cervical cancer.

However, there's now evidence that HPV immunisation helps protect against a wider range of HPV related diseases, including anal, penile and throat cancers.

Although vaccination of girls offers what's called 'herd protection' for many boys and men, some campaigners say boys should also have the HPV jab.

England HPV pilot

The vaccination pilot will start next month was announced in a written statement by health minister Jane Ellision, who wrote: "Since 2008, an HPV vaccination programme for girls has been delivered to help prevent cervical cancer, which also confers a benefit for many boys over the life course.

"HPV infection is also associated with ano-genital [anal] and oral cancers, and genital warts. In November 2015, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advised that a HPV vaccination programme should be introduced for MSM aged up to 45 years who attend genitourinary medicine (GUM) and HIV clinics, subject to procurement of the HPV vaccine and delivery of the programme at a cost-effective price.

"Through this pilot, the HPV vaccine will be offered during existing appointments at selected GUM and HIV clinics in England to test delivery in these settings. Public Health England is in the process of agreeing which GUM and HIV clinics will take part in the pilot. A full roll-out of a HPV vaccination programme for men who have sex with men will be dependent on the progress and outcome of the pilot."

Delay criticised

Experts have taken to social media to question the delay in offering HPV more widely in England. Dr Nigel Carter, treasurer of the Royal Society for Public Health tweeted: "Why a pilot when JCVI recommended a programme for all MSM. Danger of further delay to all men."

Dr Shaun Griffin from the Terrence Higgins Trust also responded, saying "The announcement of this pilot feels like a cynical stalling tactic."

The charity HPV Action goes further: "Pilot study of HPV vaccination for MSM announced by [the Department of Health] unnecessary. We say: implement national rollout now and also vaccinate all boys."