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Yes, you read that right! The HPV vaccine should also be given to boys. We attempt to clear the common misconceptions and answer FAQs about the HPV vaccine.
Were you one of the mums who was conflicted about signing the consent form for giving your girl the HPV vaccine via the government’s school vaccination programme? After all, thinking of sexual disease and cervical cancer is uncomfortable at any age and even more so, when it concerns your children! Or are you a mum of boys who thought you didn’t need to learn anything about the HPV vaccine? Don’t worry, if you didn’t know much about the topic – this is a safe space! No question is silly or irrelevant. Here’s everything you want to know about the HPV vaccine but didn’t know whom to ask and what to believe.
Editor’s Note: This post is for informational purposes and cannot substitute professional medical advice.
Read More: Women’s Health – Critical Checks For Your 30s, 40s and 50s
What is HPV and the HPV vaccine?
The Human Papillomavirus or HPV is a name given to a group of viruses that includes more than 150 genotypes. Around 40 of these viruses infect the genital area of men and women. HPV can cause premalignant changes and malignant cancers of cervix, vagina, vulva and anus. What’s worrying is that this is fairly common. The good news is that it’s almost entirely preventable. That’s why getting the HPV vaccination on time is so important.
Why Should The HPV Vaccine Be Given To Children?
For maximum benefit, the HPV vaccine should be given before the onset of sexual activity, as it does not protect against pre-existing HPV infections. We know that it can be uncomfortable to think of your children as sexually active when they are so young, but the vaccine is approved for children as young as 9 years. Dr Philip Sham, Paediatrician at Gleneagles Hospital Hong Kong, says,
I recommend all children should consider taking human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine starting from the age of 9. This is because it is one of the vaccines that can help to prevent cancer, same as hepatitis B vaccine. A number of cancers are linked with HPV vaccine, such as cervical cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, mouth cancer and oral cancer. It can also help to decrease the chance of getting genital warts.
Read More: Age-Appropriate Sex Education Advice And Resources
Will Getting The HPV Vaccine Make My Child Careless When It Comes To Sex?
Getting the vaccine should not promote sexual promiscuity; there are other more dangerous sexually transmitted diseases to think about. It is important to speak to your children frankly about sex, safe sex and related age-appropriate topics.
I’ve Heard That HPV Infections Clear Naturally, So Why Take The Vaccine?
It’s true that HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Most women who are sexually active are very likely to have contracted HPV at some point in their life (some estimates put it at about 80%). The good news is that most HPV infections produce no symptoms and are cleared by the body’s natural immune system within two years. The bad news is that in some women, the HPV virus remains in the body and may lead to cervical cancer.
But Why Should My Son Get The HPV Vaccine If It Prevents Cervical Cancer?
Dr Philip Shan explains,
Boys should also consider taking the HPV vaccine because it can decrease the chance of getting genital warts and penis cancer. In the United Kingdom, it is included in the school vaccination programme and is offered free of charge.
In Hong Kong, it is not included in the free school vaccination programme for boys but you could get one via a private medical practice.
Read More: Children’s Vaccinations In Hong Kong – When And Where To Get Them
How Should I Enrol My Child For The HPV Vaccine At School?
You don’t have to do much, other than give permission for it. Starting from the 2019 – 2020 school year, female primary school students are eligible for the HPV vaccine under the Hong Kong Childhood Immunisation Programme (HKCIP). School Immunisation Teams (SIT) of the Department of Health visit schools to provide the first dose of 9-valent HPV vaccine to Primary Five female students and the second dose to the girls when they reach Primary Six in the following school year free of charge.
What’s more, even primary school girls who do not study in Hong Kong can receive HPV vaccine at offices of SIT by appointment, if they prove their eligibility (they will need to carry documents such as their birth certificate or HKID).
You could also choose to get the vaccine via private practice. As per information on the CHP website, this could cost between $3,000 and $7,000.
Is The HPV Vaccine Effective And Safe? Are There Any Side Effects?
HPV vaccines cannot protect against ALL cervical cancers, but the 9-valent HPV vaccine used in the school immunisation programme effectively works against the seven most common genotypes of the virus that account for 90% of the cervical cancer cases in Hong Kong. Even after getting the HPV vaccine, all women between 21 and 65 years should get PAP smears done regularly.
As far as side effects go, the HPV vaccine may cause headaches, nausea, dizziness and fatigue, but these are temporary and pass quickly.
Read More: Where To Get Women’s And Family Health Checks In Hong Kong
Are There Any Kids Who Should Not Take The HPV Vaccine?
If your child has had serious allergic reactions in the past, check the ingredients of the HPV vaccine. Similarly, if your child reacted to the first dose of the HPV vaccine, it’s best to get medical advice. Also, if your child has an allergy to yeast, speak to your doctor first.
Please remember that this post is not intended to substitute professional, medical advice. Please consult a doctor, if in doubt.
References:
www.chp.gov.hk
www.studenthealth.gov.hk
www.cdc.gov/vaccines
www.cdc.gov/std/HPV
www.nhs.uk
Read More: Hong Kong Public And Private Hospitals – Where To Go In An Emergency
Editor’s Note: Sassy Mama has carried previous posts on this topic written separately by Dr Lucy Lord and Dr Cheryl Kam. Their views have been included in this article and it’s been updated by team Sassy Mama with the latest information available.
