HPV Vaccine for Boys: Why It's Not Just for Girls
From Mascot Healthcare Clinic, Akoka (Yaba), Lagos
Hello Friend! Many parents are surprised to learn that the HPV vaccine is recommended for boys too. Because the vaccine is so strongly linked to cervical cancer, people assume it is "a girls' vaccine." It isn't — and here's why boys benefit just as much.
HPV Affects Men Directly
HPV can cause real disease in men, including:
- Genital warts
- Penile cancer
- Anal cancer
- Cancers of the mouth and throat (oropharyngeal cancer)
Vaccinating boys protects them from these conditions directly.
It Protects Everyone Around Them
HPV passes between partners. When boys are vaccinated, they are far less likely to carry and pass on the virus — which helps protect future partners from cervical cancer too. This shared protection is one of the strongest public-health reasons to vaccinate both sexes.
The Best Time
Just like girls, boys get the best protection when vaccinated early — ideally at ages 9–14, when only two doses are needed. Catch-up is still worthwhile for older teenagers and young men.
Bring your son to Mascot Healthcare in Akoka (Yaba) for the HPV vaccine. For full details, read our complete HPV vaccine guide.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lawal Taiye (MBBS, Ibadan) — Mascot Healthcare Clinic, Akoka, Lagos.