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Salisbury DM. Lancet Infect Dis 2012; 12: 82–83

Some oropharyngeal cancers are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV 16). However, it has not been established if 'HPV vaccination prevents oropharyngeal cancer'. This commentary looks at the substantive paper published in this edition of the journal (Lancet Infect Dis 2012; 12: 627–634) that reports on the Australian experience. In this country, girls have received HPV vaccination since 2007 and boys since mid-2010. To date, there has been a dramatic reduction in genital warts which are markers for some forms of cervical cancer. The more effective Australian vaccine is only just now available in the UK. As female-only vaccination is resulting in sufficient herd immunity in the UK, it is argued that vaccination of boys would contribute little to the reduction in numbers of cervical cancers in women. Similarly, this may apply to oropharyngeal cancers.