Saskatchewan latest province to help protect boys from cancer with HPV vaccine
REGINA — Saskatchewan has become the latest province to offer a free vaccine to help protect boys from some types of cancer.
The province says that starting this school year about 7,500 Grade 6 boys will be eligible to receive the HPV vaccine.
The human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted virus in Canada and is linked to a number of cancers, including mouth, throat, penile and cervical cancers.
The HPV vaccine is already available to Grade 6 girls in Saskatchewan, and health officials say it is most effective when given to young people before they become sexually active.