Effective this September, Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living (MHSAL) is expanding it's publicly-funded HPV immunization program to include boys.
Boys in Grade 6 born on or after January 1st 2005 and boys in Grade 9 (and/or in Grade 8, depending on health region) born between January 1st 2002 and December 31st 2004, will be eligible.
Medical Officer of Health with PMH, Jas Atwal says the HPV vaccine was initially studied more for girls since the vaccine came out.
"There's been some evidence and mounting evidence saying that the vaccine should also be provided to boys as well to help reduce their risk of obtaining HPV. So, the studies originally resigned for females and that's why the vaccine was initially offered for females, and now more evidences available indicate that males will benefit as well."
There are about 100 different types of HPV virus' and the vaccines protects you from four different strains.
"What we are trying to do with the vaccine is to prevent cancer from occurring. There are some virus strains that are more likely to cause cancers than others, so by preventing yourself from getting the virus you reduce your risk of a long term effects related to HPV" says Atwal.
School-based immunization programs are the most effective way to provide these vaccines.
Regional public health staff will be contacting schools to organize HPV immunization clinics.
By: Keanna Nelson
