Parents of boys in Grade 5 now have the option of having their sons vaccinated against the Human Papilloma virus – years after it was first offered to girls of the same age.
The change comes months after Alberta Health Services announced it would be expanding the program cover boys.
Edmonton Catholic Schools told CTV News that the final decision lies with the parents.
“Parents will get basically a package, that package of information is telling them about the vaccine – what it’s used for – and it will also have a consent for which of course is very important,” spokesperson Lori Nagy said.
Parents of students in Edmonton Public Schools will have the same option, the vaccine will be available throughout the city.
Experts say the vaccine protects against the virus that can cause cervical cancers in women, and throat and neck cancers in men.
“The cure rates are getting better and improving all the time, but it’s not something we would wish on anyone,” Dr. Ada Bennett, AHS Medical Officer of Health, said. “If it’s something that can be prevented, stopped from happening, all the better.”
Officials estimate about 30,000 boys will be vaccinated during this school year.
