From 1 August, males will be able to get a free papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine until the age of 18.
The majority of mouth, throat, anus and penile cancers are caused by HP. As vaccination provides protection against specific strains of HPV, it is, therefore, crucial for all individuals to get vaccinated against the virus.
Until recently, girls and boys up to the age of 15 could acquire free vaccinations through the Wallonia-Brussels Federation's school programme. Beyond this age, only females' vaccinations would be paid for, until the age of 18.
Because this reimbursement did not exist for boys, they had to spend up to €400 out of their own pocket to be immunised against HPV.
A young boy, however, launched a lawsuit in March alleging that boys were also entitled to receive the vaccine for free.
And now, the reimbursement will be extended to boys, along with a slew of other changes that will take effect on 1 August.
