Whether the national immunization program (NIP) for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine should be extended to cover males remains a hot issue in Korea.

With the NIP applied for its use in girls aged 12 years or older, the government extended the program to include those aged 13 to 17 (born between 2004 to 2008) and low-income women aged 18 to 26. In countries such as the US, male HPV vaccination is also covered through NIP, but the agenda is still under discussion in Korea.

However, as President Yoon Suk-Yeol had announced vaccination to males aged 12 years older using NIP as an election pledge, whether this will really be implemented is gathering attention.