Should boys have access to free HPV shots?

The fastest way to protect females from cervical cancer is to offer HPV vaccination to boys in addition to girls, some doctors say. (iStock) Boys should have free access to immunization against the human papilloma virus (HPV) say an increasing number of Canadian doctors.

Girls have had access to free HPV vaccinations for five years - administered to protect them against cervical cancer - and this week, the Canadian Cancer Advocacy Coalition called on provincial governments to pay for the vaccine for their male peers as well.

In January, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommended HPV vaccination for males aged nine to 25.

Physicians point out that HPV causes disease and death from cancer in both men and women, and that vaccinating men will contribute to protecting women from certain strains of HPV as well.

"Now is the time for governments to apply universal vaccine coverage for our boys and our girls to protect them from disease in the future," the coalition's report concluded.

The more common HPV vaccine, Gardasil, was initially only approved in Canada for use in girls and young women, but Health Canada expanded approval to males in 2010. Another vaccine, Cervarix, is only approved for use in females.

Read more: Free HPV vaccine urged for boys More on HPV in males

Have you, or do you plan to have, the boys in your life vaccinated? Why or why not? How would free access factor in to your decision?

(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses)

Related:

• The debate over HPV inoculations
• HPV may cause half of penile cancers
• Gardasil approved for males