We hardly ever think twice about protecting our children. Without question, we vaccinate our children against polio, tetanus, and measles.
However, many parents ignore a dangerously lurking virus, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), not because they are neglectful, but rather because they have not been fully informed. In reality, boys are just as susceptible to HPV as girls are.
Since 2010, the HPV vaccine has been included in Malaysia’s national school-based immunisation programme. Therefore, thousands of 13-year-old girls have received this free vaccine each year.
It has been incorporated into standard care, which is a public health success story. However, this story is lacking a crucial element: our sons have been excluded.
Despite growing evidence from throughout the world that boys are also at risk, they are discreetly omitted from the programme, while girls are given similar protection for free.
Although Malaysia does not release comprehensive HPV data on men, the risks are substantial and growing. HPV-caused oropharyngeal malignancies, or tumours of the throat and mouth, are becoming more common in men worldwide, especially in younger men.
Additionally, genital warts are more prevalent than most people are aware of, and can negatively impact relationships, mental health, and sexual confidence.
In addition to these dangers, our sons who are not protected run the risk of unintentionally infecting their future partners with the virus.
Fortunately, there is a vaccine that is both safe and effective. In countries that vaccinate both girls and boys, the HPV vaccine has been demonstrated to significantly lower rates of cervical cancer, genital warts, and HPV-related illnesses.
It also protects against the most harmful forms of the virus. Genital warts have virtually vanished among young men and women in Australia, where the boys have been vaccinated since 2013.
So, why not protect our sons as well?
As cervical cancer is the third most frequent malignancy among women in Malaysia, the present policy places a strong emphasis on safeguarding girls.
Another consideration was cost. Vaccinating only girls was thought to be the most economical method of lowering cancer rates when resources were scarce.
However, that was more than ten years ago. With newer data and a more comprehensive knowledge of HPV’s impacts on males, it’s time to reconsider the strategy.
Although many parents wish to vaccinate their sons, they may be unable to pay out-of-pocket. Depending on the brand and quantity of doses required, the entire HPV vaccine series might cost anywhere from RM400 to RM600 at private clinics.
Only those who can afford may protect their children from this condition, leaving others at risk. In the meantime, the infection has been spreading covertly.
In any community, parents are the most effective advocates. Making a difference doesn’t need you to be a legislator or a doctor.
First, discuss the HPV vaccine with your child’s physician. Enquire with your community clinic or school about its availability for boys. Encourage awareness-raising initiatives that inform people about HPV in men.
Above all, urge the Ministry of Health (MOH) to include boys in the free HPV vaccination programme. Ultimately, HPV does not select its host according to gender, and neither should protection.
We must provide our sons with the same level of protection that we provide for our daughters. We must vaccinate everyone, not just half of the population, if we hope to see a time when HPV is no longer a threat.
Because we safeguard our sons’ partners when we do the same for them. We defend our families. Additionally, we are shielding future generations of Malaysians from a disease that we can now stop.
The science is obvious. It’s a safe vaccine. Gender equity in HPV protection is urgently needed.
Prepared by Community Posting Group 4A (Tan Shu Xian, Lim Ting Kit, Nur Rania Firdaus, Nur Syahirah Hishamudin, Zalia Jasmine Mohd Zalizan, Awangku Haziq Fadli Awangku Masparbu, Esther Parsha Harrison, Risshen Raj Kumar, Cheah Xu Teng), Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya; supervised by Prof Dr Moy Foong Ming.
- This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of CodeBlue.
