CHIAYI (TVBS News) — Middle school eighth-grade boys in Chiayi City can now receive free HPV shots, as the city becomes the first municipality in Taiwan to offer such vaccines for boys cost-free.
The initiative aims to provide a preventive measure against HPV-related cancers and other diseases, and city officials hope other municipalities will follow their lead.
The city health bureau has estimated that 1300 students will benefit from the program this year.
According to the Formosa Cancer Foundation, 47 countries have already implemented HPV vaccination for all genders.
HPV vaccines have been proven to prevent cervical cancer, vulvar cancer, penile cancer, anal cancer, and other diseases.
The Chiayi City initiative represents an important step towards promoting better health and well-being for young people. It underscores the need for further efforts to expand access to HPV vaccines across Taiwan and beyond.
The HPV vaccine is most effective for those who have never had sex or have not been infected. Therefore, the World Health Organization recommends that children between 9-14 can start vaccination.
The younger one is vaccinated, the more influential the antibody production, and the protection after vaccination is continuously effective for up to 12 years, according to research tests.