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Tengrinews.kz – Members of Kazakhstan’s Parliament have voiced their support for introducing voluntary HPV vaccination for boys, highlighting the need to expand the country’s current immunization program beyond girls.
MP Askhat Aimagambetov stated that many Kazakh parents have themselves requested access to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for boys. While girls aged 11 have been eligible for free HPV vaccination since last September, the current initiative aims to offer the same opportunity to boys on a voluntary basis.
“This vaccine is not just for women. HPV causes not only cervical cancer but also cancers of the throat, mouth, rectum and genitals - including in men. Many countries already vaccinate boys alongside girls. We believe Kazakhstan should do the same,” Aimagambetov wrote on his Telegram channel.
He added that the vaccine is difficult to obtain through pharmacies and called on the Ministry of Healthcare to ensure broader public access.
Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova recently confirmed that the ministry is considering expanding the eligibility criteria for HPV vaccination to include boys and adults aged 18 and older, with all shots administered on a voluntary basis.
HPV is a widespread virus primarily transmitted through sexual contact. While most types are harmless, some high-risk strains are known to cause various forms of cancer. According to the Health Ministry, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women of all ages in Kazakhstan and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women aged 25-44, with around 1,900 new cases reported annually.
