Gardasil vaccine offered to boys
SOUTHERN Downs schoolboys aged between 12 and 13 will be among the first in the world to be offered the Gardasil vaccine as of next year.
It may have been a case of ladies first, but boys will be put on the next list to get the jab for free, six years after it was offered to girls.
Dr John Kiss of Condamine Medical Centre said it was great news for public health.
"All vaccinations are a good move," Dr Kiss said.
"It's going to significantly reduce the incidents of HPV, Human Papillomavirus, associated with genital warts in boys."
"That will lead to a decrease in incidents of genital warts in females and ultimately cervical cancer."
Dr Kiss said statistics proved Gardasil was extremely beneficial for the community long term.
"Essentially, the good outcome is decreased cervical cancer for females, and studies have already shown two years after the immunisation program was introduced for girls, there was about a 60% drop in incidents of genital warts and that will lead to significant decreases in cervical cancer, which is great for the Southern Downs," Dr Kiss said.
"Federal Health Minister Tanya Plibersek said it would protect a community and indeed a whole generation and I would whole-heartedly agree."
Gardasil creator Professor Ian Frazer said vaccinating boys against the Human Papillomavirus would also help to ward off other cancers.
"The papillomavirus is responsible for some of the cancers inside the mouth and throat along with cancers of the genital tract," Prof Frazer said.
The four-year scheme will cost $21.1 million.
