April 22, 2016          

 

Toronto's Board of Health is commending the provincial government for expanding the province's publicly funded human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program to now include boys starting in the 2016-17 school year, and for offering the vaccine to all students in Grade 7.

 

"This action is an important step by the province to protect more youth from HPV infection and related cancers and will help make them healthier," said Councillor Joe Mihevc (Ward 21 St. Paul's), Chair of the Board of Health. "Providing the HPV vaccine free of charge to boys is a matter of health equity and provides important health benefits to boys and society as a whole."

 

The Toronto Board of Health has urged the provincial government to increase the efficiency of the current publicly funded HPV school-based vaccination program by administering it in Grade 7 and expanding the program to include boys.  

 

Human papillomavirus is a very common infection, with approximately three out of four Canadians becoming infected in their lifetime. It is also the main cause of all cervical cancers and can also cause cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis and throat, as well as genital warts. 

 

The human papillomavirus vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect young women and men from this infectious disease and prevent future cases of cancer. It is most effective when given at a young age because the immune system is most receptive to the vaccine and before the start of sexual activity.

 

More information is available at

http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2013.HL22.2.

 

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1Shf9ZI

 

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

 

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Media contact: Keisha Mair, Toronto Public Health, 416-338-8020, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.