ADOLESCENT boys in Wales are to be given the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination, it has been announced.

Girls aged 12 and 13 and gay men aged 16 to 45 are already vaccinated against the virus, which can cause cancer, and now health secretary Vaughan Gething has announced the programme will be extended to cover adolescent boys.

Mr Gething said: "We will be following the advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation that offering HPV vaccination to boys will help reduce the number of cases of HPV related cancers and save lives in years to come.

“We will now work with NHS Wales on the implementation of the new programme for roll out as soon as practicable.”