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Human papillomavirus (HPV) isn’t just a “women’s virus.” While HPV is widely known as the primary cause of cervical cancer, it also contributes to penile, anal, oropharyngeal and other cancers in men and women alike. In India, where over 1.2 lakh new cervical cancer cases occur annually and one woman dies every eight minutes from the disease, prevention strategies must rise above outdated perceptions.

Vaccinating boys against HPV significantly strengthens cancer prevention for the whole population. The vaccine works best before exposure to the virus, which usually means before adolescence or sexual activity begins- typically between ages 9 and 14. Early vaccination builds a stronger immune response and often reduces the number of doses needed, enhancing both effectiveness and compliance.

From a public health standpoint, gender-neutral vaccination builds herd immunity, a community effect where reducing the virus in one group lowers overall transmission. Evidence from epidemiological models shows that when boys and girls are both immunised, the prevalence of high-risk HPV strains drops faster and more substantially than with girls-only programmes. This collective protection means fewer infections, fewer cancer precursors, and ultimately fewer cancer cases in men and women over decades.

Yet myths persist. Some parents believe HPV vaccination is unnecessary for boys, or fear it encourages early sexual behaviour- a notion medical science emphatically rejects. Others see HPV as solely a “female issue.” “HPV doesn’t recognise gender,” . Vaccinating both boys and girls protects individuals and the wider community from multiple cancers, not just cervical cancer.

Reframing the HPV vaccine as cancer prevention- not a sex-related decision can help overcome stigma, making early immunisation a normal part of health planning for every child.

Dr. Reshma Puranik
M.D DNB, DM MRCP, ECMO
Consultant Cancer Physician
MOC Cancer Care & Research Centre, Swargate and Baner.