Health & Fitness

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Health Canada has recently approved the sale of the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine to boys and men, ages nine to 26.

LeAnn White is a Public Health Nurse for Grey/Bruce. She says it’s imperative that males get the vaccine because they too are vulnerable to the HPV virus, and can spread it, and receive it, just like girls. 

White says the age bracket of nine to 26, has been targeted because it’s an age when people can become sexually active, and the group that was looked at in a study. 

She says 75 per cent of sexually-active men and women will have at least one HPV infection. Some clear the virus, but others don’t. She says those who don’t, risk developing cancer, precancerous lesions or genital warts. 

White says both females and males can access the HPV vaccine, through their doctor, but there is a $150 fee for each of three shots. The charge is covered under health insurance for many people.

Public health has been offering the HPV vaccine to females since 2006. Grade 8 girls receive the vaccine at no charge through the publicly-funded school immunization program.

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Friday, June 11, 2010