At first the HPV vaccine was only offered to young women to reduce the risk of them developing cervical cancer.
There is now clear scientific evidence showing that men can also be affected by head and neck cancers caused by HPV, as well as penile and anal cancers.
In fact, about 4 of every 10 cases of cancers caused by HPV occur in boys or men. This is why from 2019 young men have been included in the HPV vaccination programme.