Is the Cervical Cancer Vaccine Suitable for Men? What Exactly Is the HPV Vaccine? [Kim Ga-yeon's Perspective Twist]

'Not Cervical Cancer Prevention Shot' but 'Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine'
tvN's 'Youth Record' Scene of Male HPV Vaccination Sparks Buzz... Trending in Real-Time Searches
US and UK Support Free HPV Vaccination for Male Adolescents

In episode 4 of the tvN drama 'Youth Record,' which aired on the 15th of last month, a scene was depicted where the three male protagonists receive the cervical cancer vaccine together. Actors Kwon Soo-hyun (left), Byun Woo-seok, Park Bo-gum (right) / Photo by Kwon Soo-hyun Instagram capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] "How can I get that shot? I don't have a uterus," "This vaccine isn't just for women. Men can get it too and it prevents the same way."

These lines are from episode 4 of the tvN drama 'Youth Record,' which aired on the 15th of last month. In the episode, the three male protagonists receive the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection prevention vaccine together. Jin-woo Kim (played by Kwon Soo-hyun) visits a gynecology clinic at the request of his girlfriend Ha-na Won (played by Jo Yoo-jung). Jin-woo then calls his friends Hae-jun Sa (played by Park Bo-gum) and Hae-hyo Won (played by Byun Woo-seok) to the hospital, and they get vaccinated together.

After the scene aired, keywords such as 'cervical cancer' and 'HPV' trended on major portal sites' real-time search lists. As scenes of men receiving cervical cancer prevention vaccinations have been shown in recent dramas and advertisements, including 'Youth Record,' interest in this topic has increased.

While voices advocating that both men and women should receive the HPV vaccine are growing louder, some men express discomfort, saying, "Why should men get a cervical cancer prevention shot?" This is because the HPV vaccine is often called the 'cervical cancer prevention shot,' leading to the perception that it is a vaccine only for women. Consequently, there are calls to use the accurate term 'HPV infection prevention vaccine.'

The number of women in their 20s and 30s diagnosed with cervical cancer is increasing.

According to the National Health Insurance Service's statistics on diseases of public interest released in May, the total number of cervical cancer patients increased by about 15%. Meanwhile, the number of patients in their 20s and 30s visiting hospitals for cervical cancer rose from 13,447 in 2015 to 17,760 last year, an increase of approximately 47% over five years.

Cervical cancer is the only cancer that can be prevented by vaccination and is mainly caused by HPV infection. Over 200 types of HPV have been identified to date, with about 40 types transmitted through sexual contact. HPV is classified into high-risk types such as 16, 18, 52, and 58, and low-risk types such as 6 and 11.

In episode 4 of the tvN drama "Youth Record," which aired on the 15th of last month, Sa Hye-jun (played by Park Bo-gum) is shown receiving the cervical cancer prevention vaccine with his friends. Photo by tvN drama "Youth Record" screen capture

Both men and women can be infected, but since men do not develop cervical cancer, there is concern that infected men may transmit HPV to women through sexual contact as carriers. Additionally, HPV can cause genital warts, oral cancer, anal cancer, and other conditions, so vaccination is necessary for both men and women to prevent these diseases.

As awareness grows that men also need the HPV vaccine, more men in their 20s and 30s are getting vaccinated upon recommendations from partners, friends, and family. Some even post photos of their vaccination certificates on personal social media accounts like Instagram.

Male YouTube creator Ju Geung-jeong also revealed last year in a video on his channel that he received the HPV vaccine.

There have been calls to expand government support, such as free cervical cancer screenings, as the cost burden makes it difficult for some to decide to get vaccinated despite recognizing the need, and because of a lack of awareness about the HPV vaccine. Expanding government support is seen as necessary to improve overall awareness.

Currently, free HPV vaccination is limited to 12-year-old female adolescents, and free cervical cancer screenings are provided every two years to women aged 20 and older.

Meanwhile, other countries have expanded vaccination targets to include male adolescents.

According to the 'HPV Vaccine National Immunization Program Expansion Plan' report released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency last year, the United States has supported national HPV vaccination for boys aged 11 to 12 since 2011. Australia expanded support to boys aged 12 to 13 starting in 2013 and switched to a two-dose 9-valent vaccine for ages 9 to 18, the same as for girls, from 2018. The United Kingdom expanded the target to boys aged 12 to 13 in 2018, and Denmark and Scotland have provided free HPV vaccines to boys aged 12 and 12 to 13, respectively, since 2018.