Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) can cause several health problems. It is a sexually transmitted infection. There are more than 100 types of HPV. About 40 different types of HPV are thought to live on the skin surfaces and surfaces of the cervix, anus and are split into two groups, high-risk and low-risk types. Some HPV can cause cancerous changes to the cervix (neck of the womb), anus, vulva and penis. Genital warts are also caused by HPV.
HPV types 6 and 11 are ‘low risk’, meaning they have a low risk of causing cancer. They cause up to 90% of genital warts. High risk types such as HPV 16 and 18 are thought to be linked to developing precancerous changes to the cervix, vulva, anus and penis.
HPV vaccination (Gardasil) is offered to girls of school age 12-13 year old. It is hoped that this will reduce the number of girls being infected with HPV and so reduce these diseases in girls and women.
However, HPV vaccine is not offered to boys in the UK. In Australia, US, Canada and Austria, boys are also vaccinated against HPV. This is done to try and prevent these boys having HPV infections and the diseases associated with them.
In the UK, the NHS will not fund the vaccine for boys.This may be due to restricted finances in the NHS. Campaigners say that vaccinating boys will prevent further disease and save lives.
We are able to provide a private Gardasil vaccine for boys at our clinic.
The price of the vaccine is £150.
If you would like to learn more about vaccination of boys with Gardasil please contact us: 0845 868 4480 or 07531 194797
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