A common misconception clouds HPV vaccination: it’s just for girls to fend off cervical cancer. Dr. Meera Pathak shatters this, explaining the virus’s bipartisan assault and why males must join the fight.
HPV thrives silently, with 200+ types spreading through skin-to-skin contact, especially sexual. Symptom-free carriers pose the biggest danger, infecting others inadvertently.
Low-risk types spawn genital warts, embarrassing and itchy. High-risk ones, notably 16 and 18, spark cancers across genders—cervical for women, penile, anal, and throat for men.
Dr. Pathak stresses mutual protection: vaccinated men shield themselves and loved ones, halting spread. Many nations mandate or recommend it for both sexes, yielding impressive results.
Best administered at 9-14 years: two doses for robust, long-term immunity. Up to age 45, three doses work well. Precise scheduling maximizes effectiveness.
India’s vaccine lineup includes Cervarix, Gardasil 4 and 9, and homegrown Cervavac. The latter offers value, protecting against four strains; others extend to nine.
Fears of adverse effects are overblown—mere local tenderness or brief fever, akin to other vaccines. Benefits far outweigh these minor hiccups.
Public health campaigns must evolve to prioritize equity. Parents, heed the call: vaccinate your sons today to safeguard tomorrow’s health landscape.