Recommendation for Teenage Boys to be Vaccinated by Choice against Human Papillomavirus in National Childhood Immunisation Schedule

Mr Leong Mun Wai asked the Minister for Health (a) whether the Ministry will consider including a recommendation for teenage boys to be vaccinated by choice against the Human Papillomavirus in the National Childhood Immunisation Schedule, in line with recommendations by other health authorities in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia; and (b) if not, why.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is nationally recommended for females aged nine to 26 years, as the Ministry of Health (MOH) has assessed that this is a clinically effective and cost-effective strategy for preventing cervical cancer.

On the other hand, males do not get cervical cancer. While HPV vaccination also confers protection against HPV-related anal cancer, the incidence amongst males is about ten times lower than cervical cancer amongst females. As such, HPV vaccination of males does not provide the same level of benefit as for females, nor is it likely to be cost-effective at the population level. Nevertheless, males who feel that they are at high risk of getting HPV may choose to go for HPV vaccination at a general practitioner clinic.

MOH will continue to monitor for new developments and review our policy on HPV vaccination where necessary.