DT News - UK - Northern Ireland commits to extending HPV vaccination programme

Dental Tribune UK

Wed. 10 April 2019

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BELFAST, Northern Ireland: Authorities in Northern Ireland have officially confirmed that they will extend their human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme to cover school-aged boys. The move brings the country into line with the rest of the UK and has been welcomed by the British Dental Association (BDA).

From September 2019, the HPV vaccine will be offered to all boys in Year Nine at school, or around 12,000 in total. The vaccine was originally only offered to girls as protection from cervical cancer. BDA Northern Ireland has led calls for a gender-neutral approach to the vaccinations and has been a leading partner in the UK-wide HPV Action coalition. It has worked closely with the charity Cancer Focus Northern Ireland to lobby the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Though pleased with the outcome, BDA Northern Ireland is currently seeking clarity on whether the government will offer a catch-up programme for older school boys akin to what occurred across the UK when the vaccine was first rolled out for girls in 2008.

HPV has emerged as the leading cause of throat cancer, especially among young people, with incidence rates steadily rising. Oral cancer numbers have increased by 23 per cent over the last decade in the UK and are increasing in prevalence more rapidly among men than women.

Remarking upon the decision, Dr Roz McMullan, BDA president-elect and a member of the BDA Northern Ireland Council, said: “Extending the HPV vaccination programme will save lives, and provide all our children with the best possible defence from this cancer-causing virus.”

“Oral cancer now claims more lives than car accidents in Northern Ireland, and cases are skyrocketing. Dentists are on the front line in this battle, and we’ve fought hard to see prevention put into practice,” she continued.

“While Northern Ireland is the last UK administration to sign up to jabs for the boys it still has a chance to show leadership. Commitment to a catch-up programme for over 45,000 older boys would send a clear signal that it is willing to walk the walk on both equality and prevention,” McMullan concluded.

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