Vaccinating boys as well as girls with a cervical cancer vaccine would greatly in- crease the number of lives saved, a study has found.
More than 90 percent of cases of the disease caused by the four commonest strains of human papilloma virus （HPV） could be eliminated, instead of just over three quarters if only girls were vaccinated.
The study, carried out by three researchers shows that the greatest reductions are a- chieved if both boys and girls are targeted before the age of 12.
The reductions are achieved more quickly if "catch-up" programmes for teenagers and young adults up to the age of 24 also take place.
Professor Margaret Stanley, of the University of Cambridge, said that the results were exciting. "They not only demonstrate how effective a national vaccination pro- gramme for females could be, but also demonstrate that by vaccinating males as well, prevention of over 90 percent of cervical cancer caused by the HPV types targeted by the vaccine could be achieved. "
They target strains of HPV that are responsible for three quarters of the cases of cer- vical cancer, and are expected to offer protection against other strains. By preventing HPV infection, the vaccines remove the principal cause of cervical cancer and genital warts, as well as pre-cancerous lesions.
The model assumes that 70 percent of 12-year-olds will be vaccinated before they be- come sexually active.
In Britain, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation is considering how the vaccine should be introduced. Ministers will then have to decide if it can be: afforded. The cost is likely to be in the range $150 to $ 250 per person.
In clinical trials with more than 25,000 women, Gardasil proved 100 percent effec- tive against the HPV strains 6, 11, 16 and 18. The protection has remained for five years and is expected to be long-lasting.
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