More P.E.I. girls will get HPV vaccine

From CBC News:
Prince Edward Island is expanding a controversial immunization program this year to protect more school-aged girls from a sexually transmitted disease — and cervical cancer.

For the last two years, Grade 6 girls have received the vaccine for genital human papillomavirus (HPV), a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease. This fall, the vaccine will be offered to Grade 9 girls to catch them before they enter high school.

"We know that HPV causes cervical cancer, or is linked to high risk of cervical cancer, and higher rates of genital warts," said Dr. Heather Morrison, chief health officer.

"Certainly we would like to get young girls before they go into high school and may start some sexual activity." ...more