South Africa's public health system offers free HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccines to girls aged 9 and older through school-based programs, but boys are not included. This gender-specific policy has drawn criticism from health experts who note that HPV causes cancers in both sexes, including cervical, anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HPV is responsible for over 5% of all cancers worldwide. In South Africa, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women, with about 10,000 new cases annually. However, HPV also causes about 1,500 cases of penile cancer and 2,000 cases of anal cancer in men each year in the country, according to the National Cancer Registry.
Dr. Linda-Gail Bekker, a prominent South African HIV researcher and former president of the International AIDS Society, has stated that including boys in the HPV vaccination program would reduce the overall burden of HPV-related diseases and help achieve herd immunity. The vaccine is most effective when given before sexual debut, typically between ages 9 and 12.
Several countries, including Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, already recommend HPV vaccination for both boys and girls. South Africa's Department of Health has not yet announced plans to expand the program, but advocacy groups like the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) continue to push for gender-neutral vaccination.
