Final answer:
The inclusion of boys in HPV vaccination programs is essential since HPV affects both sexes and the vaccine can prevent cancers caused by the virus. High vaccination coverage also contributes to the reduction of overall HPV infection rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The push to include boys in the HPV vaccination program is primarily because the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is sexually transmitted, affecting both men and women. Vaccinating both sexes enhances the efficacy of HPV prevention measures. While HPV is well-known for causing cervical cancer in women, it can also cause other cancers such as penile cancer in men. The HPV vaccines, like Gardasil® and Cervarix®, which protect against the high-risk types of HPV linked to cancer and genital warts, are an effective measure to reduce the incidence of these conditions. High vaccination rates can lead to herd immunity, significantly decreasing the overall HPV infection rates, which has been observed in recent studies showing a reduction in the prevalence among vaccinated populations.