EDMONTON – Parents with boys in Grade 5 in Alberta now have the option to have their sons vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV).
HPV is a common sexually transmitted virus, which is linked to mouth and throat cancers in men.
The HPV vaccination has been offered to girls since 2008, and now the province is expanding its immunization program to include Grade 5 boys.
A four-year catch up program will also be available for Grade 9 boys.
“We’re expanding it to include boys because it’s been shown to be safe and effective,” said Dr. James Talbot, Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health.
“It will prevent 440 cases of cancer, primarily throat cancer, but others as well. And it gives an additional level of protection by making sure that boys aren’t transmitting it to girls to cause cervical cancer.”
READ MORE: Study: Vaccine against sexually transmitted HPV cut infections in teen girls by half
Alberta Health Services says its immunization rate in girls in the target age group is 63 per cent, and the number increases every year.
Alberta is the second province in Canada to roll out an HPV program for boys; Prince Edward Island was the first.
AHS estimates about 32,000 Grade 5 students and 15,500 Grade 9 boys will receive the HPV vaccination this fall.
“We’ll end up saving money and saving lives and that’s what public health is about,” said Talbot.
For more information on HPV and the immunization program, visit the government of Alberta’s website.
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