Grade 6 boys in Saskatchewan can now receive the human papilloma virus vaccine for free as part of the province’s school immunization program. The move is an expansion of the existing HPV vaccination program for Grade 6 girls.

Approximately 7,500 Grade 6 male students will be eligible to receive the free HPV vaccine, in addition to the province’s 7,500 Grade 6 female students. HPV vaccines are most effective when given to young people.

Saskatchewan Health Minister Jim Reiter said the province has one of the most comprehensive vaccination programs in the country. The additional investment carries a $750,000 annual cost.

HPV is the most-common sexually-transmitted virus in Canada and is linked to a number of cancers, including mouth, throat, and cervical cancers.

Public health flu clinics begin in late October. On an annual basis the province spends over $15 million to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases.