Male HPV Vaccination in Pakistan: An Overlooked Preventive Strategy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63501/qz7tdf80Keywords:
HPV vaccination , Male Vaccination, Cancer, Public Health policy, Vaccine equalityAbstract
Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination has been introduced in Pakistan to protect girls against cervical cancer. However, the exclusive focus on females overlooks the significant burden of HPV-related diseases in men, including oropharyngeal, anal, and penile cancers, as well as anogenital warts.
Discussion: Evidence demonstrates that male HPV vaccination reduces HPV infections, precancerous lesions, and genital warts, while also enhancing herd protection. In contexts where female vaccine uptake is suboptimal, such as Pakistan, gender-neutral vaccination strategies are particularly effective. Operationally, Pakistan’s immunization infrastructure, experience from polio campaigns, and the WHO’s endorsement of single-dose schedules provide feasible pathways for inclusion of boys.
Conclusion: Restricting HPV vaccination to girls reinforces misconceptions of HPV as a “women’s disease,” neglects men’s right to protection, and slows progress toward elimination. Expanding HPV vaccination to include boys would accelerate population-level benefits, promote equity, and align Pakistan’s strategy with global best practices.
References
1. Giuliano AR, Palefsky JM, Goldstone S, et al. Efficacy of quadrivalent HPV vaccine against HPV infection and disease in males. N Engl J Med. 2011;364(5):401-411. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0909537
2. Drolet M, Bénard É, Pérez N, Brisson M. Population-level impact and herd effects following the introduction of HPV vaccination programmes: updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2019;394(10197):497-509. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30298-3
3. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Pakistan: Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet 2023. Lyon: IARC; 2023. Available at: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/data/factsheets/populations/586-pakistan-fact-sheets.pdf
4. World Health Organization. Human papillomavirus vaccines: WHO position paper, December 2022. Wkly Epidemiol Rec. 2022;97(50):645-668.
5. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. Pakistan introduces HPV vaccine into routine immunisation. Gavi News, September 2025. Available at https://www.gavi.org/news/media-room/pakistan-introduces-hpv-vaccine-protect-girls-cervical-cancer-joining-150-countries
6. Machalek DA, Poynten M, Jin F, et al. Anal human papillomavirus infection and associated neoplastic lesions in men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Oncol. 2012;13(5):487-500. doi:10.1016/S1470-2045(12)70080-3